Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Hastings rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new 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 will assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Hastings rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Hastings, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Hastings rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Hastings rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Hastings Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Hastings

Rental properties in Hastings need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Hastings

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Hastings

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Hastings Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Hastings include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough 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 solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.