Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? 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 new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Maungaraki rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about getting 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 draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Maungaraki

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to allow the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring 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, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.