Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Woodridge rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Woodridge rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Woodridge

Rental properties in Woodridge should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors 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) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Woodridge

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the house to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woodridge

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.