Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Maymorn rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to assess both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease 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.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Maymorn, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Maymorn rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping in Maymorn rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the most 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 well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need 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 safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maymorn

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maymorn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the 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 through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maymorn include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.