Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details 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 any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Wilton, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Wilton rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Wilton rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wilton

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Wilton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

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

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wilton include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.