Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’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 found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Mount Victoria rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Mount Victoria rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Victoria

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.