Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Wellington Central rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure 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 building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Wellington Central

Wellington Central rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Wellington Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

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 ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 Wellington Central

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.