Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st 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 any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Mount Victoria rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Mount Victoria rental properties.

Start now and call about the Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria should have a permanent heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Mount Victoria

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. 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 numerous concerns to check during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.