Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6791

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 for a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improve the quality of Maungaraki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Maungaraki rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable 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 up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maungaraki

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.