Healthy Homes Assessment Upper Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

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 health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Upper Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Upper Hutt

Rental properties in Upper Hutt need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Upper Hutt

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

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

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Upper Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The 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 by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Upper Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house 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 the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.