Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside 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 taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Wellington Central rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Wellington Central rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wellington Central

Wellington Central rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Wellington Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

Rental property areas affected to 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 many concerns to look over during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.