Healthy Homes Assessment Havelock North Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done, 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 to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Havelock North Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice 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 inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person 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 company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Havelock North Central, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Havelock North Central rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Havelock North Central rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Havelock North Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Havelock North Central

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Havelock North Central

Rental properties in Havelock North Central should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Havelock North Central

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Havelock North Central

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Havelock North Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Havelock North Central

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Havelock North Central for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.