Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

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 Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today 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 matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Wallaceville rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Wallaceville rental properties.

Get started now and contact us 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 homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wallaceville

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

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Wallaceville

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wallaceville

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Wallaceville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.