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 in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Manor Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal 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 and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of 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 $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Manor Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Manor Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Manor Park

Rental properties in Manor Park should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Manor Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make it easier to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Manor Park

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.