Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 assess your rental property 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 tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a 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 who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Wellington Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Wellington Central rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards 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 of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Wellington Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand 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 remainder of the 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Wellington Central include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.