Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Hastings rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

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

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Hastings, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Hastings rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Hastings rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Hastings Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Hastings

Hastings rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hastings

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hastings

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hastings Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.