Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess 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 will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Mount Victoria rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Start now and call about receiving a Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest 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 needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Victoria

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Victoria include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.