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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with 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 healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in 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 are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a 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 the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Makara Beach, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Makara Beach rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Makara Beach rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Makara Beach Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Makara Beach

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Makara Beach

Rental properties in Makara Beach require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Makara Beach

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Makara Beach

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective 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, underfloor 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Makara Beach Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Makara Beach

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Makara Beach for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.