Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also 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 when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Moera, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

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

Improving the standard of Moera rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Moera rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Moera Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

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

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Moera

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Moera

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for 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 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Moera include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.