Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 evaluate 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 assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Wellington Central rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Wellington Central rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wellington Central

Wellington Central rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Wellington Central

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.