Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Wilton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information 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 who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Wilton, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Wilton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Wilton rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

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 from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wilton

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Wilton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details 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 inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.