Healthy Homes Assessment Wellington Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know 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 the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Wellington Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Wellington Central, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

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

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Wellington Central rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Wellington Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wellington Central

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wellington Central

Wellington Central rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wellington Central

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wellington Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wellington Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wellington Central

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wellington Central for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

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

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.