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? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of 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 contract is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Moera, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Moera rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

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

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Moera

Moera rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Moera

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the 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
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.