Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 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 rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified 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 tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined 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 hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house evaluation 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?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Maungaraki rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

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

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air will be easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Maungaraki

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

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

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if 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 present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.