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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Hospital Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Hospital Hill, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Hospital Hill rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Hospital Hill rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Hospital Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hospital Hill

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Hospital Hill

Hospital Hill rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested 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), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hospital Hill

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Hospital Hill

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs 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 withstands heat flow. The higher 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 part 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Hospital Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hospital Hill

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Hospital Hill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hospital Hill for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.