Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Manor Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely conforming by the 1st 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 assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate each of 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 items have to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Manor Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control 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 damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Manor Park

Rental properties in Manor Park must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Manor Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Manor Park

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.