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 July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Upper Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may 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 fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Upper Hutt rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Upper Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Upper Hutt

Upper Hutt rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Upper Hutt

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Upper Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Upper Hutt

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Upper Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.