Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Maupuia rental properties.

Start now and call about the Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Maupuia

Rental properties in Maupuia require a reliable source of heat which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Maupuia

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.