Healthy Homes Assessment Lower Hutt

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Lower Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Lower Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Lower Hutt, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the standard of Lower Hutt rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Lower Hutt rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Lower Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Lower Hutt

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Lower Hutt

Lower Hutt rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Lower Hutt

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a 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 warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Lower Hutt

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Lower Hutt Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

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

Find out all the 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Lower Hutt include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Lower Hutt for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.