Healthy Homes Assessment Woolwich

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have 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 rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Woolwich, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Woolwich rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Woolwich rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Woolwich Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Woolwich

Woolwich rental properties should have a permanent 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 needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Woolwich

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Woolwich

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Woolwich Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Woolwich include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woolwich for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• 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 on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.