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 must make sure that their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding 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 required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Wadestown rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wadestown

Rental properties in Wadestown should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wadestown

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Wadestown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Wadestown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.