Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Mount Victoria rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Mount Victoria rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, 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 well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle 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 shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Victoria

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Victoria include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during an house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.