Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for 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 tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Maungaraki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning 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 in Maungaraki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as an air conditioner, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Maungaraki

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Maungaraki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property house assessment.