Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Woodridge, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Woodridge rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Woodridge rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Woodridge

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

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Woodridge

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge 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 and underfloor R 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Woodridge include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.