Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Manor Park 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 in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to 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, we are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description 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 the property in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Manor Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Manor Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Manor Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Manor Park

Rental properties in Manor Park should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Manor Park

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Manor Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Manor Park

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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