Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the 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 more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Wilton rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Wilton rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Wilton

Rental properties in Wilton must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wilton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Wilton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• 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 repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.