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 effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Hospital Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any 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 assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess each of 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 brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Hospital Hill, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Hospital Hill rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Hospital Hill rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hospital Hill

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hospital Hill

Hospital Hill rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hospital Hill

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of 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 living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Hospital Hill

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hospital Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hospital Hill

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hospital Hill for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

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

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.