Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate 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 Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Maoribank rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Maoribank rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maoribank

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated 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 hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maoribank

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

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

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

• 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maoribank include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.