Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

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 are now required to make sure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate both 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and 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 up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Maoribank rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Maoribank rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Maoribank Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Maoribank

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the house to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Maoribank include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.