Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings Central

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 now have to make sure that their Hastings Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be done and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Hastings Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is 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 Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Hastings Central, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Hastings Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Hastings Central rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Hastings Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings Central

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Hastings Central

Hastings Central rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like 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 source, it requirements to have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Hastings Central

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Hastings Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Hastings Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings Central

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Hastings Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings Central for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.