Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations 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 related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about 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 of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Moera, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Moera rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Moera rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Moera Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Moera

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Moera

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Moera

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standard in Moera include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.