Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

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 their Mount Victoria 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified 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 on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Mount Victoria rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in 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, as well as Draught Stopping on Mount Victoria rental properties.

Start now and call 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 households. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Mount Victoria

Rental properties in Mount Victoria need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as 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 must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Mount Victoria

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Victoria Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mount Victoria

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Victoria include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.