Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

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 ensure that their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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 tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person 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 Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done 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?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Woodridge rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Woodridge rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Woodridge Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Woodridge

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the 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
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.