Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

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 are now required to ensure that their Maymorn 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Maymorn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about the Maymorn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Maymorn

Rental properties in Maymorn must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans 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 Maymorn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

Rental property areas affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Maymorn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.