Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Wallaceville rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, 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 as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Wallaceville

Wallaceville rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Wallaceville

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wallaceville

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

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

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.