Healthy Homes Assessment Hospital Hill

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

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

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Hospital Hill rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Hospital Hill, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Hospital Hill rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Hospital Hill rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Hospital Hill Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hospital Hill

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of 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 houses

Heating Hospital Hill

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

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hospital Hill

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hospital Hill

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make it easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hospital Hill Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of 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
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hospital Hill for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.