Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’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 landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Maungaraki rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould 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 Stopping within Maungaraki rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki require a reliable source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maungaraki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of 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 is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing 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 through the Healthy Homes Standard in Maungaraki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.