Healthy Homes Assessment Mahora

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Mahora rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Mahora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Mahora, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Mahora rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Mahora rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Mahora Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mahora

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Mahora

Rental properties in Mahora should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested 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) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mahora

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Mahora

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Mahora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mahora

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mahora include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mahora for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.