Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both 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 for a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Wallaceville rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs 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 within Wallaceville rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Wallaceville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wallaceville

Wallaceville rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wallaceville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists 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 part of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and 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 dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Wallaceville include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.