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? Landlords now have to ensure their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied 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 comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised 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 live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Mount Victoria rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Mount Victoria

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

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Victoria

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Victoria include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.