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? Landlords must make sure that their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Wellington Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Wellington Central rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wellington Central

Rental properties in Wellington Central must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wellington Central

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal 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 can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Wellington Central include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? 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 falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.