Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for 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 $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Wellington Central rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in 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 for Wellington Central rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central should have a permanent 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 indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain 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 house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Wellington Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does 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 has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.