Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

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

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Maungaraki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Maungaraki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maungaraki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the house to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• 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 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 it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in a home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.