Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Maymorn, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Maymorn rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Maymorn rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Maymorn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Maymorn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

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

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maymorn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.