Healthy Homes Assessment Havelock North 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? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Havelock North Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Havelock North Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Havelock North Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Havelock North Central, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Havelock North Central rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Havelock North Central rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Havelock North Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Havelock North Central

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still 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.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Havelock North Central

Havelock North Central rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger 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 the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Havelock North Central

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Havelock North Central

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist 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 – The rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Havelock North Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Havelock North Central

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Havelock North Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Havelock North Central for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.