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 of July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on the Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Makara Beach, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Makara Beach rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Makara Beach rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Makara Beach

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up 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 as the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Makara Beach

Rental properties in Makara Beach must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Makara Beach

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Makara Beach

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Makara Beach Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor 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 typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Makara Beach

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard 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 numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is 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 enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.