Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Wellington rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wellington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Wellington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Wellington, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Wellington rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Wellington rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Wellington

Wellington rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the 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 well-being and mental well-being.

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

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Wellington

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wellington Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Wellington include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.