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 now have to ensure that their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the standard of Maungaraki rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower 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.

Contact us now to discuss the Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

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

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the 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 source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Maungaraki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make more easy for the house to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

Rental property areas affected through Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Maungaraki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.