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 ensure that their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant 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 requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Wilton, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Wilton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Wilton rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wilton

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Wilton

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Wilton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.