Healthy Homes Assessment Maoribank

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Maoribank rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maoribank rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or 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 and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of 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 from New Zealand and Maoribank, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Maoribank rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Maoribank rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maoribank

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Maoribank

Rental properties in Maoribank require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maoribank

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Maoribank

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the house to hold heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

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

Maoribank Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.