Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are 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

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 tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Mount Victoria rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards 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 now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Victoria

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.