Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that 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 must be completely 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to 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 the work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Maungaraki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Maungaraki rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

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

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If your living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maungaraki

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement 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 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

Check out the complete details of this 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 It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.