Healthy Homes Assessment Mornington

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Mornington rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mornington rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false 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 being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. 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 from New Zealand and Mornington, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Mornington rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Mornington rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mornington

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

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mornington

Mornington rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. 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. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Mornington

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Mornington

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

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

Mornington Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mornington

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mornington include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mornington for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, 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 an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.