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 July 2021? Landlords now have 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 must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation 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 the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Wallaceville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Wallaceville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Wallaceville

Wallaceville rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wallaceville

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wallaceville

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Wallaceville include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.