Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that 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 subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it 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 correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Wadestown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Wadestown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Wadestown

Rental properties in Wadestown must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wadestown

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Wadestown

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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 the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wadestown

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Wadestown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• 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 the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.