Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know 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 any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Manor Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Manor Park

Rental properties in Manor Park need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Manor Park

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

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

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Manor Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the household to keep the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• 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 standard.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Manor Park

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Manor Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.