Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess both 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Wilton, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Wilton rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter 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 for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Wilton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 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 replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the house to hold 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 resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s 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 from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Wilton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.