Healthy Homes Assessment Makara Beach

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 ensure their Makara Beach rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Makara Beach, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Makara Beach rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Makara Beach rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Makara Beach Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Makara Beach

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Makara Beach

Rental properties in Makara Beach need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Makara Beach

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Makara Beach

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes much easier for the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Makara Beach Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Makara Beach

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Makara Beach include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Makara Beach for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.