Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate 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 the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to 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.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Maoribank rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Maoribank rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving 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 damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult 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 to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Maoribank

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standard. 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 many things to check in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.