Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess both 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Moera, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Moera rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of 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 getting a Moera Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Moera

Moera rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe 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 windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Moera

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of 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 the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Moera include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.