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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Maymorn rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

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 in Maymorn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most 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 wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maymorn

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation 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 quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maymorn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the house to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

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