Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once 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 adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Maymorn rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Maymorn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Maymorn

Rental properties in Maymorn require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maymorn

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air will be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Maymorn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.