Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Hastings rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Hastings, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Hastings rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance 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 for Hastings rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Hastings Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

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

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Hastings

Rental properties in Hastings require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hastings

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation 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 comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hastings

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Hastings Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground water 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, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Hastings include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.