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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed 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 who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Wadestown, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Wadestown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded 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 Draught Stopping on 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 are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Wadestown

Rental properties in Wadestown must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Wadestown

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

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

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Wadestown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

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

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Wadestown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.