Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified for 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 contract is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Maupuia rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control on Maupuia rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maupuia

Rental properties in Maupuia must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Maupuia

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maupuia

Property rental areas that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house evaluation.