Healthy Homes Assessment Woolwich

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the 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 provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Woolwich rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Woolwich, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Woolwich rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Woolwich rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Woolwich

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

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Woolwich

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Woolwich

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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, underfloor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Woolwich Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Woolwich

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Woolwich include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woolwich for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.