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 renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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 healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Wellington Central rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs 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, as well Draught Stopping on Wellington Central rental properties.

Get started now and contact us 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 cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wellington Central

Wellington Central rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The 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 high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wellington Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.