Healthy Homes Assessment Woodridge

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Woodridge rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present 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.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Woodridge, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Woodridge rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within 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 lower temperatures in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Woodridge

Woodridge rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woodridge

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Woodridge

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Woodridge Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Woodridge include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woodridge for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong 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.