Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

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 in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Maymorn rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Maymorn rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Maymorn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maymorn

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Maymorn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making it easier for the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Maymorn

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.