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 of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’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 who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, 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 information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Maymorn, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Maymorn rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Maymorn rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Maymorn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maymorn

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maymorn

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making much easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 all of the 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Maymorn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.