Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 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 can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill 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 conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance 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 renting the property 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 accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Maoribank rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Maoribank rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Maoribank

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

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 make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the 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 to the Healthy Homes Standards in Maoribank include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, 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 an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.