Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $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 pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Maoribank rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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 in Maoribank rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on 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 outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maoribank

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

Areas of rental properties that are impacted 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 myriad of concerns to be able to examine in an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.