Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

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 must make sure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home evaluation 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 important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Maoribank rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Maoribank rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Maoribank Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maoribank

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Maoribank

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.