Healthy Homes Assessment Hutt Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Hutt Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements 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 meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate each of 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hutt Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Hutt Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Hutt Central, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Hutt Central rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. 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 requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Hutt Central rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hutt Central

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Hutt Central

Hutt Central rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hutt Central

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Hutt Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hutt Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hutt Central

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Hutt Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hutt Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.