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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Maoribank rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Maoribank rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Maoribank Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require 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 under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maoribank

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maoribank

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.