Healthy Homes Assessment Hutt Central

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 are now required to ensure their Hutt Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Hutt Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Hutt Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Hutt Central, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Hutt Central rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Hutt Central rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Hutt Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hutt Central

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hutt Central

Rental properties in Hutt Central require a reliable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hutt Central

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Hutt Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hutt Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hutt Central

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Hutt Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hutt Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.