Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have 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 are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for each of 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Manor Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Manor Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Manor Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Manor Park

Manor Park rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Manor Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Manor Park

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Manor Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for during an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.