Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both 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 Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Wellington Central rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Wellington Central rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, 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 source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Wellington Central

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• 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 falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.