Healthy Homes Assessment Makara Beach

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Makara Beach, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Makara Beach rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Makara Beach rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Makara Beach

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Makara Beach

Rental properties in Makara Beach need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Makara Beach

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Makara Beach

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Makara Beach Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Makara Beach

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Makara Beach include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Makara Beach for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough 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 a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.