Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Wellington Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Wellington Central rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Wellington Central rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs 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 requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Wellington Central

Wellington Central rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wellington Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Wellington Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.