Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Moera, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Moera rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need 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 under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Moera

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Moera

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 through the Healthy Homes Standards in Moera include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.