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 effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Wellington Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Wellington Central rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wellington Central

Wellington Central rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Wellington Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.