Healthy Homes Assessment Lower 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 their Lower Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Lower Hutt, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Lower Hutt rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Lower Hutt rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lower Hutt

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated 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 the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Lower Hutt

Rental properties in Lower Hutt need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Lower Hutt

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Lower Hutt

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Lower Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Lower Hutt

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standards in Lower Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lower Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.