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? Landlords now have to make sure 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 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified for both 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 tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Upper Hutt rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on 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 increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Upper Hutt

Upper Hutt rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. 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), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Upper Hutt

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the household to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Upper Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper 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 an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Upper Hutt

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Upper Hutt include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.