Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Wadestown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Wadestown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the 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 draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Wadestown

Rental properties in Wadestown need to have a stable heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wadestown

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Wadestown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wadestown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.