Healthy Homes Assessment Mahora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Mahora rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mahora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Mahora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Mahora, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Mahora rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Mahora rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Mahora Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mahora

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mahora

Rental properties in Mahora require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mahora

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Mahora

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mahora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mahora

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to the Healthy Homes Standards in Mahora include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mahora for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.