Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that 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 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 assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Manor Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Manor Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Manor Park

Rental properties in Manor Park should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. 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 with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Manor Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

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

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Manor Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.