Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Wilton, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Wilton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Wilton rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Wilton

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to 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 quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Wilton

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the home to hold warmth.

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

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 part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Wilton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.