Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that 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 are required to be fully 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Wilton, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Wilton rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Wilton rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means 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 can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow 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 therefore are not 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 at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wilton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements 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 more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to 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 a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.