Healthy Homes Assessment Havelock North Central

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Havelock North Central rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to assess both 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 tenancy is signed on a Havelock North Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Havelock North Central rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for 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 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 are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Havelock North Central rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Havelock North Central rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Havelock North Central Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Havelock North Central

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Havelock North Central

Rental properties in Havelock North Central require a reliable source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Havelock North Central

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Havelock North Central

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Havelock North Central Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Havelock North Central

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Havelock North Central include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Havelock North Central for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.