Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Maymorn rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Maymorn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maymorn

Rental properties in Maymorn should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. 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.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Maymorn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and 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 what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Maymorn include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.