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

The areas that are 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Wadestown, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Wadestown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Wadestown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

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

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wadestown

Wadestown rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wadestown

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wadestown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

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

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

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

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

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.