Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Wilton, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Wilton rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Wilton rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Wilton

Rental properties in Wilton should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Wilton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the household to keep the heat.

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

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

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Wilton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.