Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

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 are now required to make sure that their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure 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 a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Mount Victoria rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Mount Victoria rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Victoria

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of this 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 of the building but you must 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 often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Victoria include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for in an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.