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? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess both 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research indicates that rental houses tend 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 health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Maungaraki rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Maungaraki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary 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 sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Maungaraki

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making an easier task to the home to retain 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 withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire 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

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with 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 numerous things to check when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the 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?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.