Healthy Homes Assessment Mohaka

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Mohaka rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed 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 can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Mohaka, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Mohaka rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mohaka

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mohaka

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

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on 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 airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Mohaka

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mohaka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Check out the complete details of 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 Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Mohaka include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mohaka for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.