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 are now required to ensure their Manor Park 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 must 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is 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 more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Manor Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Manor Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Manor Park

Manor Park rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Manor Park

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Manor Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Manor Park

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.