Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Manor Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Manor Park rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Manor Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Manor Park

Rental properties in Manor Park require a reliable heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 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 and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Manor Park

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly 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 considered liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Manor Park

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, 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 what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Manor Park

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.