Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that a landlord with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Maoribank rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Maoribank rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Maoribank Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is 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 out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maoribank

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier for the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maoribank include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.