Healthy Homes Assessment Upper Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Upper Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement 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 is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Upper Hutt rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Upper Hutt rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Upper Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Upper Hutt

Upper Hutt rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete 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 is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Upper Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Upper Hutt

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Upper Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.