Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of 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 are required to be completely certified by 1 July 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. 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.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for 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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in 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 property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Wellington Central rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Wellington Central rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wellington Central

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.