Healthy Homes Assessment Upper Hutt

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Upper Hutt rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Upper Hutt rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Upper Hutt, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Upper Hutt rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Upper Hutt rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Upper Hutt Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Draught Stopping Upper Hutt

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Heating Upper Hutt

Rental properties in Upper Hutt should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Upper Hutt

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Upper Hutt

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the house to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about 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 it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Rental Property Home Assessments Upper Hutt

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Upper Hutt include each:

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

Home Assessments Upper Hutt for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.