Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that 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 fully 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Woodridge rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Woodridge rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Woodridge

Rental properties in Woodridge should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Woodridge

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woodridge

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Woodridge include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.