Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on 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 has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Wilton rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Wilton rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Wilton

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the household to retain heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 to be able to examine when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.