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 now have to ensure that their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with 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 a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Woodridge rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Woodridge rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Woodridge

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Woodridge include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.