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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under 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 up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as 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 maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Woodridge rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Woodridge

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Woodridge include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.