Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Wadestown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Wadestown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Wadestown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Wadestown

Wadestown rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wadestown

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Wadestown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wadestown

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Wadestown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.