Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 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 any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Wadestown rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning 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, as well Draught Control in Wadestown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having 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 house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Wadestown

Wadestown rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wadestown

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Wadestown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Wadestown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.