Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

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 are now required to ensure that their Manor Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Manor Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Manor Park rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Manor Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Manor Park

Manor Park rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Manor Park

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Manor Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Manor Park

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including 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 tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.