Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

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 ensure that their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to evaluate 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 contract is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Wellington Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower 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, as well Draught-stopping in Wellington Central rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

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 have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

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

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wellington Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well 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 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.