Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Woodridge 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Woodridge, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Woodridge rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Woodridge rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Woodridge Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This will help make 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 some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Woodridge

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. 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 Woodridge

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.