Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant 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 check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Wadestown rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in 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 are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wadestown

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

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wadestown

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Wadestown

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the house to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wadestown

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Wadestown include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.