Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6791

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Maungaraki rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Maungaraki rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out into the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties require a reliable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space 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 health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered 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 up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Maungaraki

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the home to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands 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 remainder part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually 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 in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

The areas of rental property that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.