Healthy Homes Assessment Meeanee

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

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

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Meeanee rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any 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 leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house evaluation performed for 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 important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Meeanee, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Meeanee rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Meeanee rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Meeanee Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Meeanee

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Meeanee

Rental properties in Meeanee must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Meeanee

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Meeanee

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Meeanee Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Meeanee

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Meeanee include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Meeanee for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.