Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

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 make sure that their Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are 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, once a new or renewed 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 Tenancy is signed for the Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Wallaceville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Wallaceville rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Wallaceville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Wallaceville

Rental properties in Wallaceville should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Wallaceville

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Wallaceville

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater 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 North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property 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, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. 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 Wallaceville

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Wallaceville include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.