Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Moera 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Moera, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Moera rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Moera

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Moera include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.