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 now have to make sure that their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely 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 and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Moera, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Moera rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured 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 the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Moera

Moera rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Moera

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

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 insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Moera include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.