Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st 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 to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maoribank 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 deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Maoribank rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Maoribank rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Maoribank

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Maoribank

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Maoribank include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.