Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required for 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 landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Maoribank rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Maoribank rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Maoribank Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Maoribank

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the house to retain warmth.

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

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

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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Maoribank include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.