Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Manor Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Manor Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs 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 Control on Manor Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Manor Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Manor Park

Rental properties in Manor Park need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Manor Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the home to hold heat.

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

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

• 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.