Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about 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 supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Wilton, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Wilton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Wilton rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC 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 well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Wilton

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wilton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

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

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Wilton

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the home 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 well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.