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? Landlords now have to ensure their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess 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 of the tasks that needs to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Moera, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Moera rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your 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 healthy homes

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Moera

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Moera include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.