Healthy Homes Assessment Mohaka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

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 houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Mohaka rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Mohaka rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having 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 cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Mohaka

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

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed 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 portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mohaka

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Mohaka

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make more easy for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mohaka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mohaka

Property rental areas that are affected through 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 numerous concerns to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.