Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Woodridge 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 fully certified by 1 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 check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

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

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Woodridge rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform 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 some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Woodridge

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woodridge

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Woodridge include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.