Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided 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 lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Maungaraki rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Maungaraki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Maungaraki

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• 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 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

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.