Healthy Homes Assessment Hospital Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Hospital Hill 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found 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, as well as completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

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

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Hospital Hill, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Hospital Hill rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Hospital Hill rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Hospital Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hospital Hill

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Hospital Hill

Rental properties in Hospital Hill should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hospital Hill

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

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Hospital Hill

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier for the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hospital Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

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

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually 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 home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hospital Hill

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Hospital Hill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hospital Hill for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.