Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a 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 will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an 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 property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on 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 the property in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Wallaceville rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Wallaceville rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Wallaceville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Wallaceville

Rental properties in Wallaceville must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be less difficult 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 considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Wallaceville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.