Healthy Homes Assessment Lower Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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 items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Lower Hutt, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Lower Hutt rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. 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 Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Lower Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lower Hutt

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Lower Hutt

Rental properties in Lower Hutt should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lower Hutt

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Lower Hutt

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about 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 what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Lower Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lower Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.