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? The landlords are now required 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 rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet 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 request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Hospital Hill, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Hospital Hill rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance 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 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 can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hospital Hill

Rental properties in Hospital Hill must have a fixed source of heating that can warm 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 indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems 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 might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Hospital Hill

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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 don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Hospital Hill

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hospital Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent 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 Standards in Hospital Hill include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hospital Hill for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require 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 home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.