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 make sure that their Woolwich rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Woolwich, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Woolwich rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Woolwich rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Woolwich

Woolwich rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woolwich

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Woolwich

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the home to keep 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 insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woolwich Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woolwich

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Woolwich include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woolwich for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.