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 are now required to ensure their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess each of 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Maoribank rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Maoribank rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Maoribank Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the 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) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maoribank

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Maoribank

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is 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 assists 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

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Maoribank include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.