Healthy Homes Assessment Woolwich

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Woolwich rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess both 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Woolwich, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Woolwich rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Woolwich rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Woolwich Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Woolwich

Rental properties in Woolwich must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Woolwich

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Woolwich

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to the house to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Woolwich Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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 Woolwich

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woolwich for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.