Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Maoribank, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Maoribank rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs 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 Draught stopping on Maoribank rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maoribank

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands 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 area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

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

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maoribank include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.