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 must ensure that their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st 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 determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any 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 current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as 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. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Wellington Central rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Wellington Central rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wellington Central

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Wellington Central include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.