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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under 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 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Wellington Central rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Wellington Central rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wellington Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Wellington Central include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has 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 in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.