Healthy Homes Assessment Hastings Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Hastings Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or 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 property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request an home 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?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Hastings Central, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Hastings Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Hastings Central rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Hastings Central

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Hastings Central

Rental properties in Hastings Central should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Hastings Central

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Hastings Central

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the household to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Hastings Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Hastings Central

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Hastings Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.