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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements 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 meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Maymorn, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Maymorn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maymorn

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

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maymorn

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire 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 water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maymorn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.