Healthy Homes Assessment Lower Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Lower Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’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 who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Lower Hutt, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Lower Hutt rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control in Lower Hutt rental properties.

Start now and call about the Lower Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lower Hutt

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Lower Hutt

Lower Hutt rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need 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 not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lower Hutt

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Lower Hutt

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Lower Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lower Hutt

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Lower Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lower Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.