Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Wilton, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Wilton rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for 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 are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes 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 heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wilton

Rental properties in Wilton must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wilton

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wilton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 with the Healthy Homes Standard in Wilton include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.