Healthy Homes Assessment Moera

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Moera rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

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 Moera rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Moera, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Moera rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Moera rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Moera

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Moera

Rental properties in Moera should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature 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) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Moera

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Moera

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the home to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of 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

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

Moera Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Moera

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Moera include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Moera for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.