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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Manor Park rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Manor Park, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Manor Park rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs 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, and Draught Stopping within Manor Park rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Manor Park Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Manor Park

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Manor Park

Rental properties in Manor Park must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require 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 for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Manor Park

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Manor Park

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

Check out the complete 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 but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Manor Park include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.