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 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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be done and provide the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to assess both 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have 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 taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the standard of Maupuia rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Maupuia rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting 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 humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maupuia

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better 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 and 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maupuia

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Maupuia include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.