Healthy Homes Assessment Wilton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that 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 rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified for each of 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Wilton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Wilton, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Wilton rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Wilton rental properties.

Start now and call about the Wilton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wilton

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Wilton

Wilton rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wilton

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Wilton

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make much easier for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Wilton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

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

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wilton

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Wilton include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wilton for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.