Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure 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 are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details 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 indicates that rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Maupuia rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Maupuia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed 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 windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, like a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maupuia

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Maupuia

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of 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 to the 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 numerous concerns to be able to examine during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.