Healthy Homes Assessment Mohaka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Mohaka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which 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 fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and 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

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 done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Mohaka, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Mohaka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Mohaka rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Mohaka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mohaka

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check 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.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mohaka

Rental properties in Mohaka should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Mohaka

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Mohaka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy for the house to keep warmth.

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

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

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mohaka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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 Mohaka

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mohaka for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.