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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Mount Victoria rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs 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 Draught Stopping in Mount Victoria rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Victoria

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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 all of the 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

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps 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

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Victoria include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• 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 in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.