Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

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 now have to ensure their Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

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 for a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Wallaceville rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Wallaceville rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Wallaceville

Wallaceville rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Wallaceville

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wallaceville

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Wallaceville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.