Healthy Homes Assessment Meeanee

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Meeanee rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Meeanee rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Meeanee rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Meeanee, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Meeanee rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Meeanee rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Meeanee Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Meeanee

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Meeanee

Rental properties in Meeanee should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Meeanee

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Meeanee

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Meeanee Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 Meeanee

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Meeanee include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Meeanee for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.