Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Hastings rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Hastings, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Hastings rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Hastings rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Hastings Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Hastings

Rental properties in Hastings require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing installed 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 to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hastings

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Hastings

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands 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 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hastings Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.