Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine 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 liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Woodridge rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Woodridge rental properties.

Start now and call about the Woodridge Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Woodridge

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand 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 – 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woodridge

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Woodridge include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.