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 the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed 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?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Woolwich, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Woolwich rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Woolwich Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Woolwich

Rental properties in Woolwich require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Woolwich

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Woolwich

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

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

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woolwich Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard 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 you should look for during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.