Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

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 Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Moera, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing 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 illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Moera rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Moera Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed 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 safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Moera

Every living space of a rental house must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Moera

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make it easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 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 dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The 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 numerous things to look over in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.