Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Wadestown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Wadestown rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Wadestown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Wadestown

Wadestown rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wadestown

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wadestown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.