Healthy Homes Assessment Woolwich

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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Woolwich rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs 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.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on 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?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Woolwich, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Woolwich rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Woolwich rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Woolwich Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Woolwich

Rental properties in Woolwich should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (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 check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woolwich

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Woolwich

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woolwich Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woolwich

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Woolwich include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woolwich for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.