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? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Woodridge rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping 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 are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Woodridge

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, 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 and 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. 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 Woodridge

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Woodridge include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there 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 being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.