Healthy Homes Assessment Havelock North Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Havelock North Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Havelock North Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Havelock North Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Havelock North Central, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Havelock North Central rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Havelock North Central rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Havelock North Central

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during the 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 healthy houses

Heating Havelock North Central

Rental properties in Havelock North Central need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Havelock North Central

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Havelock North Central

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor 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

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Havelock North Central

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Havelock North Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Havelock North Central for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong 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.