Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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 work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Maymorn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Maymorn rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Maymorn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Maymorn

Rental properties in Maymorn must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, 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 health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Maymorn

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Maymorn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including 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 an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.