Healthy Homes Assessment Wallaceville

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Wallaceville rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely 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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Wallaceville rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

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

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Wallaceville, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Wallaceville rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Wallaceville rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Wallaceville Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Wallaceville

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Wallaceville

Wallaceville rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Wallaceville

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that 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.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Wallaceville

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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

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

Wallaceville Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Wallaceville

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Wallaceville include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Wallaceville for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has 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 relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.