Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Maoribank rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Maoribank rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that 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 a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

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

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Maoribank

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the 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 Maoribank

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.