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? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Woodridge 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 fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Woodridge rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Woodridge, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Woodridge rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance 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.

Begin now by calling about getting a Woodridge Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woodridge

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This 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.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Woodridge

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well 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 rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woodridge

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Woodridge include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.