Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing 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 can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Moera, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Moera rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Moera

Moera rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Moera

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Moera

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the household to keep heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Moera include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.