Healthy Homes Assessment Mornington

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 must ensure that their Mornington rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for each of 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 tenancy is signed for a Mornington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Mornington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

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 Call us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Mornington, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Mornington rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Mornington rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Mornington Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mornington

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

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

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Mornington

Mornington rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mornington

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Mornington

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mornington Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location 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 avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mornington

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Mornington include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mornington for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.