Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Moera, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Moera rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Moera

Moera rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it may need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Moera

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Moera include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.