Healthy Homes Assessment Mahora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Mahora 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be completed and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Mahora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Mahora, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Mahora rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Mahora rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Mahora Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mahora

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mahora

Mahora rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mahora

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Mahora

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mahora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Mahora include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mahora for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.