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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Woolwich rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Woolwich, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Woolwich rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Woolwich rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Woolwich

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs 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 gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Woolwich

Woolwich rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Woolwich

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Woolwich

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Woolwich Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about The 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Woolwich include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Woolwich for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with 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 regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.