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 must make sure that their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Maymorn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Maymorn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested 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) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Maymorn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 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

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

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.