Healthy Homes Assessment Lower Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Lower Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of 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 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection 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 so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Lower Hutt, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Lower Hutt rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Lower Hutt rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Lower Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lower Hutt

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Lower Hutt

Rental properties in Lower Hutt must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Lower Hutt

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Lower Hutt

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Lower Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lower Hutt

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Lower Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lower Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.