Healthy Homes Assessment Mohaka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Mohaka, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Mohaka rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Mohaka rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Mohaka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mohaka

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Mohaka

Rental properties in Mohaka need to have a stable heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Mohaka

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Mohaka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

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

Mohaka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mohaka

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Mohaka include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mohaka for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.