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? Landlords now have to ensure their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Wellington Central rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Wellington Central rental properties.

Start now and call about the 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 homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wellington Central

Wellington Central rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wellington Central

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within 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 dampness and will also make much easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher 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 area of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wellington Central include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.