Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Hastings rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with 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 conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed 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 so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Hastings, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Hastings rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Hastings rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Hastings Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Hastings

Rental properties in Hastings require a reliable heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hastings

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Hastings

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Hastings Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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 Hastings

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Hastings include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.