Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

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 Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by 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 requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and offer a report with all the details 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe 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 included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Wallaceville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Wallaceville rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Wallaceville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wallaceville

Rental properties in Wallaceville require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wallaceville

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

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

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wallaceville

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Wallaceville include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.