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 in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess 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 work that needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Wellington Central rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Wellington Central rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a 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 households. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need 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 to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Wellington Central

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.