Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Manor Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed 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 and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Manor Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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 Stopping for Manor Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Manor Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Manor Park

Manor Park rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Manor Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make much easier for the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent 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 Manor Park

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.