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 of July 2021? Landlords must 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 rentals are required to be completely 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 your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for both 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 for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of 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 from New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Wellington Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Wellington Central rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Wellington Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

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

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 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Wellington Central include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.