Healthy Homes Assessment Wadestown

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Wadestown rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Wadestown rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement 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 is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Wadestown, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Wadestown rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over 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 Draught Stopping in Wadestown rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Wadestown Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wadestown

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Wadestown

Wadestown rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wadestown

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Wadestown

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Wadestown Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wadestown

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wadestown include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wadestown for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.