Healthy Homes Assessment Maymorn

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Maymorn 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 must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Maymorn rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Maymorn, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key 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 can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in 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 on Maymorn rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Maymorn Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maymorn

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most 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 is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maymorn

Maymorn rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maymorn

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maymorn

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 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

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

Maymorn Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maymorn

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maymorn for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.