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 in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Upper Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Upper Hutt rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Upper Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Upper Hutt

Rental properties in Upper Hutt must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Upper Hutt

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 all of the 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 Standard. Healthy Homes Standard 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 a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.