Healthy Homes Assessment Upper Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Upper Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Upper Hutt rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, 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, and Draught Stopping in Upper Hutt rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Upper Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Upper Hutt

Rental properties in Upper Hutt require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Upper Hutt

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Upper Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Upper Hutt

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Upper Hutt include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.