Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Wadestown 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to evaluate 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Wadestown rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wadestown

Rental properties in Wadestown must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Wadestown

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Wadestown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

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

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wadestown

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Wadestown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.