Healthy Homes Assessment Mornington

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Mornington rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant 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 to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are 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 on a Mornington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Mornington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Mornington, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Mornington rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Mornington rental properties.

Start now and call about the Mornington Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mornington

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Mornington

Rental properties in Mornington should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mornington

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Mornington

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mornington Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mornington

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Mornington include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mornington for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.