Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $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 pocket with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on 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 homes in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Maymorn rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Maymorn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Maymorn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to the household to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maymorn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.