Healthy Homes Assessment Hawkes Bay

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Hawkes Bay rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hawkes Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Hawkes Bay rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Hawkes Bay, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Hawkes Bay rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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 Hawkes Bay rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Hawkes Bay Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hawkes Bay

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Hawkes Bay

Rental properties in Hawkes Bay should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hawkes Bay

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Hawkes Bay

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hawkes Bay 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 make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hawkes Bay

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Hawkes Bay include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hawkes Bay for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, 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 an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.