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 a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Upper Hutt rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Upper Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and 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 most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all doors and windows as part of an 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 well-being homes

Heating Upper Hutt

Rental properties in Upper Hutt need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Upper Hutt

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Upper Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s 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 in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Upper Hutt include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.