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 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 a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Mount Victoria rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within Mount Victoria rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

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

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Victoria

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the home to retain the 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 withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Victoria include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.