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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Wellington Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in 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 may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test every window and door during the 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 healthy houses

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Wellington Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think 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 home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.