Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for each of 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Wadestown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Wadestown rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Wadestown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Wadestown

Wadestown rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Wadestown

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Wadestown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wadestown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Wadestown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.