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 ensure their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Maoribank rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maoribank

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Maoribank

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to allow the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with 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 the insulation is able to resist 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 part 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Maoribank include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.