Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a 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 expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Maymorn, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Maymorn rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about the Maymorn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, 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 and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maymorn

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

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

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Maymorn

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maymorn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.