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 make sure their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of 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 or renewed contract is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the quality of Maoribank rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Maoribank rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Maoribank Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maoribank

Maoribank rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maoribank

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maoribank

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.