Healthy Homes Assessment Mangateretere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Mangateretere 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mangateretere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Mangateretere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they can 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 provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Mangateretere, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Mangateretere rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Mangateretere rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Mangateretere Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mangateretere

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Mangateretere

Mangateretere rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mangateretere

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Mangateretere

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge 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 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Mangateretere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mangateretere

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Mangateretere include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mangateretere for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home 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 getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.