Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of 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.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Moera, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Moera rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Moera Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera require a reliable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Moera

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Moera

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.