Healthy Homes Assessment Makara Beach

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Makara Beach rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Makara Beach, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Makara Beach rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Makara Beach rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Makara Beach Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Makara Beach

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Makara Beach

Makara Beach rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Makara Beach

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Makara Beach

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Makara Beach Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Makara Beach

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Makara Beach include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Makara Beach for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.