Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which 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 of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Wallaceville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Wallaceville rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Wallaceville

Wallaceville rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Wallaceville

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps 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 Wallaceville

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.