Healthy Homes Assessment Lower Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Lower Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new 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 evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies 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. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for each of 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Lower Hutt, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving 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 due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in 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 increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Lower Hutt

Lower Hutt rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Lower Hutt

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Lower Hutt

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Lower Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Lower Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lower Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during an house 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 insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.