Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements 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 healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Wellington Central rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wellington Central

Wellington Central rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Wellington Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Wellington Central include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.