Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Mount Victoria rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Mount Victoria rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving 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 households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it 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 out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new 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 an electric heater or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Victoria

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Victoria include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.