Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant 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 to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in 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 healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or 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 property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Mount Victoria rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Mount Victoria rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least 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 every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate 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, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Mount Victoria

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the 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.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Victoria include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.