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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 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 done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Wilton, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Wilton rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on 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 increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wilton

Rental properties in Wilton must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wilton

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Wilton

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Wilton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.