Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Moera, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Moera rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping in Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Moera

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, 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 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.