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? Landlords now have 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 rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects 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 requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing 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 needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail 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 risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply 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 has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Wellington Central rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Wellington Central rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wellington Central

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

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Wellington Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.