Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Moera rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Moera rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Moera Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Moera

Moera rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended 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), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult 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 all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Moera

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the 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 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.