Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which 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 under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Woodridge, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Woodridge rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, 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 and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Woodridge rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Woodridge Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Woodridge

Rental properties in Woodridge require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Woodridge

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woodridge

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Woodridge include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.