Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Wilton 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 completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Wilton, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Wilton rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Wilton rental properties.

Start now and call about the Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wilton

Rental properties in Wilton must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Wilton

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Wilton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure 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’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Wilton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.