Healthy Homes Assessment Makara Beach

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Makara Beach rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious 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.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Makara Beach, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Makara Beach rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about having a Makara Beach Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Makara Beach

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Makara Beach

Makara Beach rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Makara Beach

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Makara Beach

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• 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 the entire 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

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment 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, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Makara Beach include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Makara Beach for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.