Healthy Homes Assessment Upper Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Upper Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Upper Hutt rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Upper Hutt rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Upper Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Upper Hutt

Upper Hutt rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Upper Hutt

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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 dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Upper Hutt

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Upper Hutt include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.