Healthy Homes Assessment Meeanee

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Meeanee rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Meeanee rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Meeanee rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Meeanee, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Meeanee rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Meeanee rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Meeanee Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Meeanee

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Meeanee

Rental properties in Meeanee need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Meeanee

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Meeanee

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Meeanee Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Meeanee

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Meeanee include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Meeanee for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.