Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Wilton, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Wilton rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Wilton rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Wilton

Rental properties in Wilton need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 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 heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wilton

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Wilton

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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

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 it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Wilton

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Wilton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.