Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on 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 expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Moera, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Moera rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Moera rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Moera Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable 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 most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

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

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Moera

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well 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 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Rental property areas affected through The 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 many things you should look for in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.