Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Manor Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Manor Park, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Manor Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Manor Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Manor Park

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

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Manor Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Manor Park

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.