Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

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 ensure that their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords with several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

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 living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Maymorn rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Maymorn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maymorn

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maymorn

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Maymorn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maymorn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.