Five steps to a healthy rental property
accelerateonline • March 4, 2020
To boost the quality of rental properties in New Zealand, the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act was passed in 2017. If you’re a landlord, there are five actions you need to take to ensure your property meets the Healthy Homes Standards.
By 1 July 2024, you need to provide:
- Fixed, efficient and healthy heating devices in living rooms, which can warm rooms to at least 18°C.
- Ceiling and underfloor insulation that meets the 2008 Building Code or (for existing ceiling insulation) is at least 120mm thick.
- The right size extractor fans for sufficient ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms, and opening windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen and bedrooms.
- Efficient drainage and guttering, downpipes and drains. If your rental home has an enclosed subfloor, you need to install a ground moisture barrier if it’s possible.
- A property with no unnecessary gaps or holes in walls, ceilings, windows, floors, and doors that cause noticeable draughts. All unused chimneys and fireplaces must be blocked.
Accelerate - December 2023
Accelerate August 2023
Inland Revenue have recently announced this year’s livestock Herd Scheme Values and we think this is a great opportunity to update you on the latest movements. The Herd Scheme Values are the National Average Market Values, determined by a process involving a review of the livestock market as at 30 April.
The values for Dairy this year have seen a fall in values across all female classes, but increases across all male classes. The fall in R1 heifer values can be attributed to the prohibition of live export by sea commencing from 30 April 2023. For the first time the National Average Market Value for R1 Heifers is less than the National Standard Cost of breeding and rearing an R1 Heifer.
In contrast to Dairy values Beef values have increased on average 9% and are almost at record values for all classes.
Sheep values have all fallen from the high of 2022, slipping back an average of 10.2%. Whilst values have fallen, they are still either the second or third highest that they have ever been depending on which class of sheep you are looking at.
Goat values have increased on average 7.8% with almost all classes of fibre and meat producing goats at record highs. The value of milking goats continues to be well down from historic highs, except for breeding bucks which are at their highest value.
Like the rest of the world, New Zealand has reeled from the aftermath of Covid, rising inflation and interest rates, and the cost-of-living crisis. This year we also have a massive storm damage repair bill.
Any tax cuts, or changes to the tax thresholds were vetoed in Budget 2023 as this was viewed as worsening inflation.
Budget 2023 builds on the $889m already provided in response to this year’s storms. A further $6b is allocated for a National Resilience Plan , for rebuilding after weather events. $71b is committed to new and existing infrastructure projects: not only storm damaged communications, power and roading, but schools, hospitals, public housing, rail and road.
