Healthy Homes Assessment Mahora

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 that their Mahora 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 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate both 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mahora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Mahora rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Mahora, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Mahora rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Mahora rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mahora

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Mahora

Rental properties in Mahora should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mahora

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Mahora

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mahora Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mahora

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Mahora include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mahora for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.