Healthy Homes Assessment Mayfair

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Mayfair rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be done and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Mayfair rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Mayfair, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the standard of Mayfair rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in 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 as Draught Stopping in Mayfair rental properties.

Start now and call about the Mayfair Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mayfair

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Mayfair

Rental properties in Mayfair need to have a stable heating source that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Mayfair

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable 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 house

Insulation Mayfair

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mayfair Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally 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 any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mayfair

Rental property areas affected through The Healthy Homes Standards 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 concerns to be able to examine when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.