Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have 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 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 evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Maoribank, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Maoribank rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Maoribank rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Maoribank Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maoribank

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

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

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

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

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maoribank

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Maoribank include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maoribank for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.