Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Hastings 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 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Hastings Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Hastings Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Hastings Central, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Hastings Central rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Hastings Central rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings Central

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Hastings Central

Rental properties in Hastings Central must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Hastings Central

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hastings Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hastings Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Hastings Central include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.