Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

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 that their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Woodridge 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 will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Woodridge rental properties.

Start now and call about the Woodridge Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Woodridge

Rental properties in Woodridge should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Woodridge

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs 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 insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woodridge

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Woodridge include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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