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 are now required to ensure that their Upper Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must 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 assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Upper Hutt rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Upper Hutt rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Upper Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Upper Hutt

Rental properties in Upper Hutt require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. 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 heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will 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 to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Upper Hutt

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the home to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Upper Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your 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 usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Upper Hutt

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standards 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 a variety of things to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.