Healthy Homes Assessment Lower Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Lower Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 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 determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Lower Hutt, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Lower Hutt rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also 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 requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Lower Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lower Hutt

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are 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 hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Lower Hutt

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

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lower Hutt

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Lower Hutt

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Lower Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Lower Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lower Hutt for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.