Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 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 for the Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

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

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Moera, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Moera rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Moera

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Moera

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the 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 moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Moera include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

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