Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Hastings rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and 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 misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Hastings, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Hastings rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Hastings rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Hastings Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hastings

Rental properties in Hastings should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hastings

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Hastings

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Hastings Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Hastings include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.