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 July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Wilton, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Wilton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Wilton rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wilton

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Wilton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 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

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent 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 to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Wilton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.