Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified for each of 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Moera, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Moera rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Moera

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Moera

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the house to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.