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 must ensure that their Wellington rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 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 determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wellington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Wellington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

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

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Wellington, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Wellington rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Wellington rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Wellington Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wellington

Wellington rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Wellington

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wellington

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need 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 for the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is 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 rising into the property. It also assists in preventing 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 Wellington

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard 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 variety of concerns to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.