Healthy Homes Assessment Woolwich

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Woolwich rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of 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 liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to 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.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Woolwich, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Woolwich rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Woolwich rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Woolwich Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Woolwich

Woolwich rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space 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 health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woolwich

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat, and that 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 liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Woolwich

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to the household to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woolwich Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Woolwich include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woolwich for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.