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Monday, January 15, 2018

Rental Warrant of Fitness for Wellington

Read article : Rental Warrant of Fitness for Wellington

Thursday, 17 August 2017, 8:40 am
Press Release: Wellington City Council

Thursday 17 August

Rental Warrant of Fitness for Wellington

Wellington City Council is partnering with the University of Otago, Wellington, to launch a voluntary Rental Warrant of Fitness for minimum housing standards in Wellington, Mayor Justin Lester has announced.

“We want to lift rental standards in our city and make better accommodation available for people. Every Wellingtonian deserves a warm, dry home," says the Mayor.

“We’re pleased to announce the first Rental Warrant of Fitness in New Zealand, alongside public health experts from the University of Otago.

“We’re partnering with the University and will be launching an app that will allow tenants and landlords to check their house against minimum health standards designed by experts, and allow landlords to request a full inspection by a professional to be certified as meeting the standard.

“This will give landlords the chance to promote their house as being warm and dry, and give prospective renters an assurance the home they are looking to live in meets the standard.

“All available analysis strongly indicates that improved quality of housing leads to improving health, social and financial outcomes."

Deputy Mayor and Housing Portfolio Leader Paul Eagle says improving the quality of the housing stock was a key goal for the Council.

“This is just the start – through our Long Term Plan we will be introducing a Wellington Housing Quality Standard that will incorporate both personal health and earthquake resilience, and be tailored to Wellington’s needs. Information from this voluntary scheme will help inform the permanent standard Council introduces," he says.

Philippa Howden-Chapman, Professor of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington, says “The Rental Warrant of Fitness is the first scheme in the country that is taking action and helping raise the standards of our homes. It focuses on areas of the home that we know have the greatest chance of improving the occupants’ health.

“We will be launching the Rental Warrant of Fitness in Wellington on August 28, and I urge landlords to get behind this and use it as a tool to raise the level of their property to a minimum standard.”

Council will consider the partnership for approval at next week’s City Strategy Meeting on Thursday 24 August.

Q&A - Rental Warrant of Fitness (RWoF)

Who created the Rental Warrant of Fitness?

The Rental Warrant of Fitness is a University of Otago, Wellington initiative that is the result of many years research, working with industry experts and conducting practical trials. Wellington City Council and four other Councils (Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch and Dunedin) took part in the 2014 Trial of this Rental Warrant of Fitness. Wellington City Council is supporting the Rental Warrant of Fitness as a voluntary scheme for the city.

This will help inform a Wellington Housing Standard that will take into account our city's unique layout and earthquake risks.

Who funded this scheme?

The Health Research Council of New Zealand funded the University of Otago, Wellington to develop and launch the Rental WoF, train the inspectors and evaluate its overall costs and benefits, including the impact on tenants’ health. The Hutt Mana Charitable Trust funded the monitoring of the rental housing market in the Hutt Valley, which as yet has not introduced the Rental WoF and will enable us to see the overall effect of the Rental WoF. Otherwise the scheme is self-funding. More info can be found here www.rwof.org.nz

How does the assessment work?

Landlords (or tenants with their landlord's permission) can book a Rental Warrant of Fitness inspection on Wellington City Council’s website from August 28.

We’re partnering with qualified building inspectors who will come to the house and carry out an assessment which will take around an hour to complete.

You will receive a pass or fail on the spot.

A report will be emailed to you shortly thereafter.

If the house fails the assessment you have 6 months to meet the criteria and re-book a follow up assessment for free.

The Rental Warrant of Fitness is valid for three years.

What areas of the house are assessed? How many questions are there?

The Rental Warrant inspection has 29 criteria and 63 questions.

The assessment covers insulation, heating, ventilation, structural stability, sanitation, and hazard identification.

Every question must achieve a pass for the Rental Warrant of Fitness to be achieved. (like a vehicle WOF)

A self-assessment app is available on the Wellington City Council website from 28 August. Anyone can download for free. This will give a good understanding of how close the house is to meeting the Rental Warrant of Fitness assessment standard.

How long is the RWoF valid for?

Three years.

How much does the Rental Warrant of Fitness inspection cost?

The professional inspection and assessment is $250.

If the house doesn’t pass there is a six month window to get the work done and have a re-assessment done for free.

How do I pay for the inspection?

Payment is made either through the website when requesting an inspection or on the day of the inspection.

Is it voluntary?

Yes. Right now this is something landlords can choose to take part in to demonstrate they are responsible landlords. It gives them the chance to stand out in the market and show prospective renters the home they are looking to live in meets the standard.

Can anyone choose to get a Rental Warrant of Fitness?

Yes. Although it is designed for rental properties, it does set a safe, warm, dry standard for all housing.

Is the RWoF for stand-alone houses and apartments?

It’s been designed and tested on both.

If my house doesn’t pass, can I re-book a follow up inspection for free?

Yes, you have up to six months to make the necessary changes and re-book at no cost.

Can anyone use the self-assessment app?

Yes. The self-assessment app is free and will be available from 28 August.

The self-assessment app does not give a valid pass or fail and you cannot claim to have a Rental Warrant of Fitness as a result of doing the self-assessment.

However, it will give a good indication of the state of the house.

How were the questions/criteria selected for the Rental Warrant of Fitness?

The Rental Warrant of Fitness was developed by the University of Otago, the New Zealand Green Building Council and the Accident Compensation Corporation in combination with five City Councils. The RWoF focuses on features that are supported by evidence that these changes reduce unintentional injury in the home, improve occupants’ health status, reduce school absences, and lead to greater household energy efficiency.

What’s the Wellington Housing Standard?

Wellington City Council is developing criteria that will set a standard for homes that incorporates both personal health and earthquake resilience. Wellington has some unique challenges and we want to create a standard that is designed specifically for our city.

Will the City Housing homes go through the Rental Warrant of Fitness scheme?

We're in the middle of a $400 million dollar upgrade programme to bring all of our buildings up to modern standards. Once that upgrade is completed, all of our City Housing Properties will pass the WOF.

City Housing is involved in developing our permanent Wellington Housing Standard

The 29 questions for the Rental WOF are:

Appendix A: Assessment Criteria

1. Is there a functional, safe stove-top and oven? (Yes/no)

2. Is there adequate space for food preparation and storage? (Yes/no)

3. Is there an adequate supply of hot and cold potable water? (Yes/no)

4. Is the hot-water at the tap 55C (±5C?) (Yes/no)

5. Is there a functional toilet, which does not have a cracked or broken seat, cistern or bowl? (Yes/no)

6. Is there a suitably located bath or shower in good working order? (Yes/no)

7. Are there secure or high level cupboards or shelves for storing hazardous or toxic substances out of children's reach? (Yes/no)

8. Is there a adequate form of safe and effective space heating? (Yes/no)

9. Do the bathroom, kitchen and all bedrooms have some form of ventilation to outside? (Yes/no)

10. Is the house reasonably free of visible mould, i.e. the total area of mould is less than an A4 sheet of paper? (Yes/no)

11. Are power outlets, light switches and wiring safe and in good working order? (Yes/no)

12. Is there adequate indoor lighting? (Yes/no)

13. Does the house have adequate working smoke alarms? (Yes/no)

14. Have the windows got effective latches? (Yes/no)

15. Do high level windows have security stays to prevent falls? (Yes/no)

16. Are there curtains or blinds in the bedrooms and living area? (Yes/no)

17. Do glass doors have safety visibility strips? (Yes/no)

18. Does the house have ceiling insulation to WOF standards? (Yes/no)

19. Does the house have underfloor insulation to WOF standards? (Yes/no)

20. Is a ground vapour barrier installed under the ground floor? (Yes/no)

21. Is the house weathertight with no evident leaks, or moisture stains on the walls or ceiling? (Yes/no)

22. Is the house in a reasonable state of repair? (Yes/no)

23. Is the storm and waste water drainage being adequately discharged? (Yes/no)

24. Is there any water ponding under the house? (Yes/no)

25. Is there adequate outdoor lighting near entrance ways? (Yes/no)

26. Does the house appear to be structurally sound? (Yes/no)

27. Are there handrails for all internal stairs and all outdoor steps that access the house, and do balconies/decks have balustrades to the current Building Code? (Yes/no)

28. Is the address clearly labelled and identifiable? (Yes/no)

29. Are there securely locking doors? (Yes/no)

ends

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Sunday, December 31, 2017

Turn your Bathroom into a Spa, by Joseph Pubillones

Read article : Turn your Bathroom into a Spa, by Joseph Pubillones

As Americans hustle and bustle to make ends meet and the work hours extend well beyond 40 hours per week, stress is an all-time high. Stress is responsible for triggering incidents from panic attacks to illness and even cardiac arrest. This is why the spa business is booming at an alarming rate. While some business folks may get the occasional perks of downtime to book a day at a spa, most American families do not have the luxury of time. Bringing the concept of the spa to your home is becoming quite popular.

Creating an at-home getaway is the goal when transforming your bathroom into a spa. There are several factors to consider in such a home improvement project. To get your bathroom to capture the spa feeling, you will want to capture as much room as possible. You will need more room to accommodate a luxurious tub to soak in, a large shower with massaging jet sprays, or perhaps a steam unit to transform your shower into a steam bath, a bench inside the shower, and a place to sit down and relax.

Give good consideration to plumbing fixtures and hardware. These valves and controls are important because they are tactile items, which affect the way you perceive your spa-bathroom. They are also effective to express a sense of luxury and relaxation.

The colors that are used in spas are deliberately chosen to reduce stress. The colors that are most used as those inspired by the sky, ocean and earth. These colors are usually very light. While they may seem washed out, these colors that are dusty and seem to insinuate another are the best. Like a soft white with an aqua green shimmer, or a beige that reflects salmon paired. These pale colors work the best when paired with white, gray or espresso cabinetry and trim.

Today's new spa-bathroom combinations also make a statement with tiles and stone treatments. The more exotic the marble, granite or quartz, the better. Sometimes great slabs are book-matched for an incredible organic pattern on walls and floors. Mosaics are historically tied to baths since pre-Roman times, and today with advances in technology, micro tiles can be laser cut and assembled to create the most incredible and fantastic patterns and designs.

Other items to be considered in the design of a spa-bathroom:

Candles: For burning at specific times, can be soothing. I would suggest a subtle aromatherapeutic scent. Small votive around your bath area can be beautiful, but also give off a relaxing glow.

The Best Linens: Accessorizing you bathroom with a nice bathrobe, thick absorbent towels, and bathmats are both useful and make your slippery surfaces safe.

Flowers and Plants: Are a great invigorating element of nature to add to your spa-bathroom. Plants are great because they help clean the air and give off oxygen.

Music: Part of the spa experience is too soothe your body and soul. Music is the best therapy to aid in relaxation and stress reduction. Spas pipe soft music everywhere for a reason. Add a couple of new jazz CDs to your repertoire and you are well on your way.

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Fla. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Saturday, April 8, 2017

How to Split a Vacation Rental with Your Friends without Ruining Your Trip

Read article : How to Split a Vacation Rental with Your Friends without Ruining Your Trip

Image from tommypayne .

Sharing a vacation rental with friends is a great way to cut down on accommodations costs and have a space to relax together after a long day sightseeing. But splitting a vacation rental doesn't always go smoothly - we've all had that one friend who hogs the bathroom getting ready, spews their stuff all over the couch, or tries to skirt paying their fair share.

We've got some ideas on how to share a vacation rental and keep your friendships intact, and while this kind of planning and high level of communication isn't for everyone, but it does tend to make vacations with other people go more smoothly. If this isn't your style, or your friends balk at the idea of talking about things in such detail, then you might have to go with a more "wing it" style approach. If you do, know that things may not go as you want them to or that not everyone will be happy with what ends up happening.

Coordinate Ahead of Time

As with any group trip, a solid planning session or two goes a long way to making sure everyone enjoys the trip. Your session should include discussing:

Everyone's top two or three wants in a rental . You need to get a sense of what's important to each friend. Set the expectation that everyone won't get all of their top wants, but it gives the group an idea of what should be prioritized when picking a place. For example, if three out of five people list proximity to the beach as their top want, that's something that should be considered when booking. Make sure that everyone has at least one of their wants satisfied so they don't end up feeling like they're paying to stay in a place they don't even like.
Expectations of the trip . This goes beyond sharing a vacation rental, but is something you should discuss ahead of time. Some people might want to go out clubbing and some might be expecting to get an early start on sightseeing each day. You don't want to walk out of your room after a night of partying to see your friend annoyed that you weren't up in time to be first in line at the museum.
Splitting major expenses . Discuss how the costs of food, transportation, activities, and the rental itself will be split. Will things be split evenly? Or should people expect to pay based on how big their room is? Also, agree on how damage caused to the rental by one person will be paid for.
Who owns organizing what parts of the trip . To avoid confusion, ask people to volunteer to organize different parts of the trip. Things like booking the rental and being the contact person with the host, planning any meals you cook, who actually cooks (this might rotate within the group), booking rental cars or train tickets, and buying other supplies you'll need.
The guest policy . Decide from the start if other people will be allowed to join your trip once the planning is already in motion. You should also talk about whether last minute guests are allowed and if they are, what that means for the shared costs and how they're split.
A schedule for limited spaces . Work out who likes to shower in the morning and at night so you can make a schedule for the bathroom. Talk about morning routines so you know if you need to find a rental with a mirror or other space that can be used for doing hair, makeup, and other prep so that the bathroom is free. You might also decide to go as far as putting together a schedule for cooking and cleaning if your group plans to have a lot of meals at the rental.
What to do if someone drops out . It sucks, but sometimes people have to bow out of a trip. Talk ahead of time about what costs they're responsible for if they do (this may depend on when they cancel) and how plans might change if someone does drop out. You may need to switch rentals or cut back on other trip costs to make up for the increased expense.

Not everyone is going to be thrilled about diving into such details, so propose planning as a fun get together where you all can get even more excited for your trip. Sipping drinks or chowing down on tasty treats puts everyone in a mood to agree on details.

If you're not able to meet in person, you can supplement with Facetime, a phone call, or shared Google Docs. Avoid long email chains or group texts. If others aren't willing to pitch in at the planning stage, consider if you're really up for going on a trip with them. Their lack of effort from the start could put a damper on the vacation.

Set Up "House" Rules

Once you arrive at your vacation rental, have a quick chat to go over house rules. Some of these will relate back to the schedule and other agreements you made in your planning session, but a refresher at the start of the trip helps people remember what they agreed to. Some other things you should go over:

Quiet time : Is there a designated time (or times) during which people in the rental are expected to be quiet? For example, an hour in the afternoon when some people might nap or otherwise decompress, and then after a certain time at night.
Keys : If you have a large group, it's likely that not everyone will have a key to the vacation rental (this may also be true if you have a rental car). Decide who will have keys and if there's a system for sharing keys (like leaving them in a bowl by the door or on the coffee table).
Plan for the first day or two : Quickly discuss what everyone wants to do the day your arrive, and possible the next day. This gives you a chance to decide on things like, buying groceries or other supplies, unpacking, going out, or seeing high priority sights.

End on a High Note

At the end of a great trip, it can be tempting to let everyone drift off to their flights home. However, you want to make a little effort to end things on a good note so that there's no last minute wrinkles.

Wrap up lingering IOUs . On the last day, set aside time to tally up the costs and make sure everyone who is owed money gets paid (and not in a "I'll Venmo you later..." kind of way).
Organize a cleaning crew . Get everyone to pitch in to clean up your rental. You should know how much is expected from the host (maybe they don't want you to do anything). Split up tasks like taking out the trash, emptying the fridge, piling up dirty sheets and towels, washing dishes, and vacuuming or sweeping. If people are departing at different times, those who leave first should try to do one or two cleaning tasks with the expectation that the last person there will do a final sweep and spot clean anything that's left.
Share a fun memory . After the trip is over, send a postcard that you picked up or print out a fun photo and mail it with a note to remind your friends what a great time you had. This is optional, of course, but a nice gesture that ends things on a high note.