Healthy Homes Assessment Manor Park

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to 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 rentals are required to be fully 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 evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Manor Park rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Manor Park, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Manor Park rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps 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 home is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Manor Park

Manor Park rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter 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 requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your main living space already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Manor Park

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Manor Park

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Manor Park Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Manor Park include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Manor Park for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has 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 regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.