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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with 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 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Makara Beach, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Makara Beach rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft 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 an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Makara Beach

Rental properties in Makara Beach need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Makara Beach

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Makara Beach

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Makara Beach Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only 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’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Makara Beach

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Makara Beach for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.