Healthy Homes Assessment Mornington

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Mornington rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with 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 breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mornington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Mornington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Mornington, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Mornington rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Mornington Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mornington

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors in an 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 to ensure well-being houses

Heating Mornington

Mornington rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mornington

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Mornington

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mornington Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mornington

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mornington include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mornington for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.