Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed 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 conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Maoribank rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Maoribank rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maoribank

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maoribank

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Maoribank include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.