Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’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 any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Mount Victoria rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Mount Victoria rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our 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.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Victoria

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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

Find out all the details 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 the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 by the Healthy Homes Standard 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 a variety of concerns you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.