Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order 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 of any work that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Wadestown, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Wadestown rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about having a Wadestown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Wadestown

Wadestown rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wadestown

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wadestown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wadestown

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Wadestown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.