Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 rental properties are required to 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 will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to assess 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Maoribank rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on 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 may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block 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 building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly 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 living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Maoribank

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater 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 – all area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Maoribank include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.