Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess both 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, when a brand 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.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can 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 adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research has shown that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Maungaraki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Maungaraki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space of a rental house must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maungaraki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

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

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and 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 dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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

Rental property areas affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.