Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Manor Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

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

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, 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 information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Manor Park, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Manor Park rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping on Manor Park rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will inspect the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Manor Park

Manor Park rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested 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), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Manor Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the house to hold 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 insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it 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 efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards 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 many things to check during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.