Healthy Homes Assessment Woolwich

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Woolwich, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Woolwich rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Woolwich rental properties.

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

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Woolwich

Rental properties in Woolwich require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed 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 small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Woolwich

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Woolwich

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 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 of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Rental Property Home Assessments Woolwich

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

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

Home Assessments Woolwich for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.