Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Moera, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Moera rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Moera

Moera rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Moera

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Moera

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by The Healthy Homes Standard in Moera include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.