Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing 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 needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Maungaraki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large 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 out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Maungaraki

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

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

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of 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?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.