Healthy Homes Assessment Lower Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 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 will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the 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. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

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

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Lower Hutt, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Lower Hutt rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Lower Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lower Hutt

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Lower Hutt

Lower Hutt rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Lower Hutt

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Lower Hutt

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Lower Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lower Hutt

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Lower Hutt include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lower Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.