Healthy Homes Assessment Upper Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Upper Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Upper Hutt rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of 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 having a Upper Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Upper Hutt

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

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Upper Hutt

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the 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 ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Upper Hutt

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Upper Hutt include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.