Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Moera, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Moera rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera require a reliable heating source which can warm the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Moera

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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

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

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Moera include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.