Healthy Homes Assessment Havelock North Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Havelock North Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 the rental property you have in order to 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 tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Havelock North Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Havelock North Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Havelock North Central, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Havelock North Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Havelock North Central rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Havelock North Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Havelock North Central

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Havelock North Central

Havelock North Central rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Havelock North Central

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Havelock North Central

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well 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 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Havelock North Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Havelock North Central

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Havelock North Central include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Havelock North Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.