Healthy Homes Assessment Hospital Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Hospital Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant 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 your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

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 for a Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Hospital Hill, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Hospital Hill rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means 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, as well as Draught Control for Hospital Hill rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hospital Hill

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that 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, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Hospital Hill

Rental properties in Hospital Hill must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Hospital Hill

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Hospital Hill

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure 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 added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

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 resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hospital Hill 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 for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your 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 Hospital Hill

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Hospital Hill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hospital Hill for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.