Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding 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 receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Wilton, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Wilton rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Wilton rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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 don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Wilton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.