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? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to assess each of 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 contract is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Woodridge rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Woodridge rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Woodridge Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested 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) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Woodridge

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Woodridge

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woodridge

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Woodridge include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.