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 ensure that their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant 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 to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified for both 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 work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person 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 up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. 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 has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Wilton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Wilton

Rental properties in Wilton must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings 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 require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be 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 for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Wilton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands 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 – all 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Wilton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.