Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new 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 to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Maoribank rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in 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 as Draught Stopping for Maoribank rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Maoribank

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater 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 part 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in an house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.