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 now have to make sure their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is 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 for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Wilton, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Wilton rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Wilton rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wilton

Rental properties in Wilton should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Wilton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Wilton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.