Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified 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, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Maymorn rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss the Maymorn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Maymorn

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor 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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.