Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once 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 one 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 a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting 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 when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Wadestown rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Wadestown rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Wadestown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable 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 the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wadestown

Rental properties in Wadestown require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wadestown

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wadestown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Wadestown include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.