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 must ensure 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done and offer a report with 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 breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for 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 contract is signed on a Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Mohaka rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

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

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Mohaka, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Mohaka rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Mohaka rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Mohaka Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mohaka

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating 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 a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mohaka

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Mohaka

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mohaka Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 Standard in Mohaka include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mohaka for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.