Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Maupuia rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Maupuia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maupuia

Rental properties in Maupuia need to have a stable heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maupuia

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Maupuia

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the household to hold warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent 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 Maupuia

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.