Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for both 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Maupuia, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Maupuia rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, 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 health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maupuia

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maupuia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part 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 your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental property home assessment.