Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information required 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 in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Wallaceville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould 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, and Draught Stopping on Wallaceville rental properties.

Start now and call about the Wallaceville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Wallaceville

Wallaceville rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even on 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 and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wallaceville

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• 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 underfloor 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.

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to 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 can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wallaceville

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wallaceville include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.