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 must make sure 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 must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Wallaceville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for 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, and Draught-stopping for 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 houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Wallaceville

Rental properties in Wallaceville need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Wallaceville

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Wallaceville

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Wallaceville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.