Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Moera, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Moera rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Moera

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Moera

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Moera include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.