Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Mount Victoria rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Mount Victoria rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Mount Victoria rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Mount Victoria

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 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 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Mount Victoria

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Mount Victoria include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.