Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a 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?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Wadestown rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Wadestown rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Wadestown

Wadestown rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wadestown

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Wadestown

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 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 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.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wadestown

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.