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 are now required to make sure 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for each of 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Woolwich, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Woolwich rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Woolwich rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Woolwich

Woolwich rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Woolwich

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Woolwich

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand 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 of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woolwich Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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 by Healthy 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 a myriad of things to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.