Healthy Homes Assessment Woolwich

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Woolwich rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed 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.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Woolwich, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Woolwich rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of 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-stopping for Woolwich rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Woolwich

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

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woolwich

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

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 adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Woolwich

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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 dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Woolwich include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woolwich for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.