Healthy Homes Assessment Makara Beach

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Makara Beach rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Makara Beach rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Makara Beach, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Makara Beach rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Makara Beach rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Makara Beach

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Makara Beach

Rental properties in Makara Beach require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need 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 suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Makara Beach

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Makara Beach

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes more easy for the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Makara Beach Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Makara Beach

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Makara Beach include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Makara Beach for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.