Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings Central

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 ensure their Hastings Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed 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 any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Hastings Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Hastings Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Hastings Central, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Hastings Central rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Hastings Central rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Hastings Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings Central

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hastings Central

Rental properties in Hastings Central 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 temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hastings Central

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Hastings Central

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required 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 greater 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hastings Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop 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 harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings Central

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Hastings Central include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.