Healthy Homes Assessment Hospital Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Hospital Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed and provide 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 breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six 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 comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Hospital Hill, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Hospital Hill rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Hospital Hill rental properties.

Start now and call about the Hospital Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hospital Hill

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

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 hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Hospital Hill

Hospital Hill rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hospital Hill

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Hospital Hill

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hospital Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

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 Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hospital Hill for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.