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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 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 standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’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 in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess both 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Mount Victoria rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over 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 Draught-stopping in Mount Victoria rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Mount Victoria

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

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Victoria

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent 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 Mount Victoria

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.