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 must ensure that their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Mount Victoria rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Victoria

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the house to keep warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer 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 the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing 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 Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Victoria include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.