Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Wellington rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties 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 will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

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 Wellington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Wellington, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Wellington rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Wellington rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Wellington Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Wellington

Rental properties in Wellington need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Wellington

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wellington Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water 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 from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 Wellington

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Wellington include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.