Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

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 rent the property in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Wadestown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Wadestown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Wadestown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wadestown

Wadestown rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wadestown

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wadestown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Wadestown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Wadestown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.