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 are now required to ensure that their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information 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 landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Wellington Central rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Wellington Central rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wellington Central

Wellington Central rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Wellington Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 to the Healthy Homes Standard in Wellington Central include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.