Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

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

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Wallaceville rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Wallaceville rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Wallaceville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it 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 and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wallaceville

Wallaceville rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Wallaceville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wallaceville

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Wallaceville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.