Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Maoribank rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Maoribank rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Maoribank Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maoribank

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Maoribank

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Maoribank include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have 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 with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.