Healthy Homes Assessment Mount Victoria

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that 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 rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Mount Victoria rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Mount Victoria, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Mount Victoria rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Mount Victoria rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Mount Victoria Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mount Victoria

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mount Victoria

Mount Victoria rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like an air conditioner, it may require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mount Victoria

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Mount Victoria

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mount Victoria 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 ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Mount Victoria include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mount Victoria for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.