Healthy Homes Assessment Mangateretere

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Mangateretere 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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 connected fines.

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

Call Now 0800 232 113

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Mangateretere rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

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

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Mangateretere rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Mangateretere rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mangateretere

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no require 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 structure when the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Mangateretere

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

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mangateretere

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Mangateretere

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Mangateretere Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mangateretere

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Mangateretere include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mangateretere for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.