Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Manor Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

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 Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Manor Park rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Manor Park rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Manor Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure as the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Manor Park

Manor Park rental properties must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Manor Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes it easier for the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Manor Park

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.