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 now have to make sure that their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Maungaraki rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Maungaraki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Maungaraki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often 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 effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there 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 tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.