Healthy Homes Assessment Havelock North Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Havelock North Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Havelock North Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Havelock North Central 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 expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed for 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?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Havelock North Central, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Havelock North Central rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Havelock North Central rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Havelock North Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Havelock North Central

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Havelock North Central

Rental properties in Havelock North Central must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Havelock North Central

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Havelock North Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

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 better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Havelock North Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Havelock North Central

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Havelock North Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Havelock North Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.