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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Maungaraki rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Maungaraki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Maungaraki

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to allow the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.