Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

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 make sure that their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Maupuia rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Get started now and contact us about having a Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maupuia

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult 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 to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Maupuia

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the 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 Maupuia

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are many things you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.