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 are now required to ensure their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, and 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Maupuia, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Maupuia rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Maupuia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Maupuia

Rental properties in Maupuia should have a permanent heating source which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Maupuia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory on 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 quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make more easy to allow the home to retain heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maupuia

The areas of rental property that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.