Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

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 now have to ensure that their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate both 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Wilton, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Wilton rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Wilton rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Wilton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wilton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.