Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

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

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research suggests that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Maungaraki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss getting a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 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 health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Maungaraki

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.