Healthy Homes Assessment Mohaka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Mohaka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Mohaka, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Mohaka rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mohaka

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Mohaka

Mohaka rental properties should have a permanent heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mohaka

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Mohaka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mohaka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mohaka

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Mohaka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mohaka for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.