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 are now required to ensure their Hospital Hill rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of 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 contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Hospital Hill rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are 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 receiving a Hospital Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hospital Hill

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

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Hospital Hill

Rental properties in Hospital Hill require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hospital Hill

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hospital Hill

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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

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

Hospital Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this 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 to the Healthy Homes Standard in Hospital Hill include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hospital Hill for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.