Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Hastings rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Hastings, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Hastings rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in Hastings rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Hastings Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Hastings

Hastings rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended 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 for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hastings

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Hastings

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality 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 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

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

Hastings Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect 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 the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• 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 getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.