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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Manor Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st 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 to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Manor Park rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Manor Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Manor Park

Manor Park rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Manor Park

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Manor Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to the home to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet 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 insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Manor Park

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

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