Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 properties and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Maungaraki rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about receiving a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small 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 an electric heater or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maungaraki

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house assessment.