Healthy Homes Assessment Upper Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Upper Hutt rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over 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 stopping for Upper Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Upper Hutt

Upper Hutt rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Upper Hutt

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, 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, 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

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 inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Learn more about 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Upper Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.