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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to evaluate both 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Makara Beach, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the quality of Makara Beach rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within 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 less temperature in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Makara Beach

Rental properties in Makara Beach should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Makara Beach

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Makara Beach

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Makara Beach Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the 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 Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Makara Beach for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.