Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess both 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not 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 is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Mount Victoria rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Mount Victoria rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Victoria

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Victoria include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.