Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

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 that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for 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 inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details 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 provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Maoribank rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Maoribank Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable 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 that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maoribank

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

Property rental areas that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Maoribank include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• 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 all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.