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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified 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 determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Maoribank rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank must have a fixed heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Maoribank

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maoribank

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent 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

Rental property areas affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Maoribank include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.