Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 rental properties must be completely certified 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 assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

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

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hastings Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Hastings Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given 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 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Hastings Central, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Hastings Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Hastings Central rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Hastings Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings Central

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers 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 in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Hastings Central

Rental properties in Hastings Central need to have a stable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC 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 source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hastings Central

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Hastings Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hastings Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings Central

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Hastings Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings Central for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.