Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely 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 requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for each of 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, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Maoribank rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Maoribank rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will check the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maoribank

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maoribank

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

The areas of rental property that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Maoribank include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.