Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

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 ensure their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, 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

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 completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Maymorn rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Maymorn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Maymorn

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand 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 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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 the Healthy Homes Standard in Maymorn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.