Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Maymorn rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Maymorn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maymorn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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 (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 water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the 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 by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maymorn include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.