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 ensure their Meeanee rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for each of 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Meeanee rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Meeanee rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed for 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?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Meeanee, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Meeanee rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Meeanee

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Meeanee

Meeanee rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

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

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Meeanee

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards 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.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Meeanee

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Meeanee Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this 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 with The Healthy Homes Standard in Meeanee include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Meeanee for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.