Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Woodridge rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on 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 may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Woodridge

Rental properties in Woodridge need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Woodridge

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• 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 and floor 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

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

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing 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

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. 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 numerous concerns to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.