Healthy Homes Assessment Mohaka

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 Mohaka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Mohaka, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Mohaka rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Mohaka rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mohaka

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

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mohaka

Mohaka rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mohaka

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Mohaka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mohaka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mohaka

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Mohaka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mohaka for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.