Healthy Homes Assessment Upper Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Upper Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, 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

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 have to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Upper Hutt rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about getting a Upper Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Upper Hutt

Upper Hutt rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Upper Hutt

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Upper Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Upper Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples 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 require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.