Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into 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 an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Wadestown, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Wadestown rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Wadestown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Wadestown

Rental properties in Wadestown should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if 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 like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wadestown

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Wadestown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.