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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Woodridge rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Woodridge rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Woodridge

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Woodridge

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about 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 inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Woodridge include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.