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 July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information 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 found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties 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

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

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Wellington Central rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Wellington Central rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss 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 homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Wellington Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 Standard in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.