Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who have 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 six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Mount Victoria rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Victoria

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Victoria include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.