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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to 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 required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Mohaka, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Mohaka rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Mohaka rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Mohaka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mohaka

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Mohaka

Mohaka rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Mohaka

Every living space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Mohaka

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mohaka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mohaka

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mohaka include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mohaka for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including 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 be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.