Healthy Homes Assessment Lower Hutt

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 ensure their Lower Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Lower Hutt, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Lower Hutt rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Lower Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lower Hutt

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Lower Hutt

Rental properties in Lower Hutt must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lower Hutt

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Lower Hutt

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Lower Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lower Hutt

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lower Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

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