Healthy Homes Assessment Mayfair

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Mayfair rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Mayfair rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Mayfair, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Mayfair rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Mayfair rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Mayfair Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Mayfair

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Mayfair

Rental properties in Mayfair should have a permanent heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current 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 small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Mayfair

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Mayfair

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists 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 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Mayfair Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Mayfair

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Mayfair include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Mayfair for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.