Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house 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 matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Maymorn rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Maymorn rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Maymorn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maymorn

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Maymorn

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to 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 topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Maymorn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.