Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with 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.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Woodridge rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Woodridge rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Woodridge Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Woodridge

Rental properties in Woodridge require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Woodridge

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow 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, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 to Healthy 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 a myriad of concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.