Healthy Homes Assessment Meeanee

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Meeanee rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Meeanee rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Meeanee, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Meeanee rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Meeanee rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Meeanee Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Meeanee

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Meeanee

Meeanee rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fix 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, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Meeanee

Each liveable space in a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Meeanee

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Meeanee Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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 Meeanee

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Meeanee include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Meeanee for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.