Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Wadestown rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Wadestown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wadestown

Rental properties in Wadestown must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wadestown

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wadestown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wadestown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wadestown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.