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 must make sure their Upper Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied 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.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Upper Hutt rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Upper Hutt rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving 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 homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Upper Hutt

Upper Hutt rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Upper Hutt

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Upper Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Upper Hutt

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Upper Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.