Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Moera, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Moera rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Moera rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving 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 house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Moera

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home evaluation.