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? Landlords now have to make sure that their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed 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 assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to evaluate 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished 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. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Wellington Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wellington Central

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details 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 inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed 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 entering the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.