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 their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified 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 to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed 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 meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Maymorn, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Maymorn rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Maymorn rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about 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 humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maymorn

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Maymorn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Maymorn include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.