Healthy Homes Assessment Mayfair

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Mayfair rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Mayfair rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Mayfair rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description 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 rent in New Zealand and Mayfair, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Mayfair rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Mayfair rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Mayfair Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mayfair

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Mayfair

Rental properties in Mayfair should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mayfair

Each liveable space in a rental home must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Mayfair

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Mayfair Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mayfair

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Mayfair include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mayfair for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house assessment.