Healthy Homes Assessment Upper Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 rentals are required to 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 will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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 on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Upper Hutt rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Upper Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Upper Hutt

Rental properties in Upper Hutt must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, 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 source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Upper Hutt

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Upper Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Upper Hutt

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.