Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check 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 needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may 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 live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

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

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Maupuia, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Maupuia rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Maupuia

Rental properties in Maupuia must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Maupuia

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maupuia

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.