Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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 on a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Wallaceville rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Wallaceville rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Wallaceville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Wallaceville

Rental properties in Wallaceville need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Wallaceville

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture 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 to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Wallaceville include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.