Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? 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 rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for 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 any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the 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 within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done 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 is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Woodridge rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Woodridge rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Woodridge Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

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

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Woodridge

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woodridge

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.