Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Manor Park 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

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

Improving the quality of Manor Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Manor Park rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Manor Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Manor Park

Manor Park rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Manor Park

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to allow the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Manor Park

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.