Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by 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. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 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 adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Woodridge, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Woodridge rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Woodridge rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Woodridge

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Woodridge include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.