Healthy Homes Assessment Hutt Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Hutt Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Hutt Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Hutt Central, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Hutt Central rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Hutt Central rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Hutt Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hutt Central

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Hutt Central

Hutt Central rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hutt Central

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Hutt Central

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the house to retain the heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hutt Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture 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 harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a 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 a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hutt Central

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Hutt Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hutt Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting an house assessment to see 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 protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.