Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Maupuia rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within 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 increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maupuia

Rental properties in Maupuia need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Maupuia

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.