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 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 rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 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 generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Lower Hutt rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Lower Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lower Hutt

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Lower Hutt

Rental properties in Lower Hutt require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during 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 well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Lower Hutt

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Lower Hutt

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Lower Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lower Hutt

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Lower Hutt include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• 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 during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.