Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings 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 are now required to ensure that their Hastings Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check 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 needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Hastings Central, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Hastings Central rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Hastings Central rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Hastings Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings Central

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Hastings Central

Rental properties in Hastings Central require a reliable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hastings Central

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Hastings Central

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs 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 insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hastings Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings Central

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Hastings Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings Central for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.