Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs 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 meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess 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 contract is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, 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 houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Mount Victoria rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Mount Victoria rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria require a reliable source of heating that can warm the living room 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 well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Victoria

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Victoria include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.