Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

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? Landlords now have 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk 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 this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Wilton, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Wilton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Wilton rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest 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 outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Wilton

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists 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 Wilton

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.