Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are 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. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to evaluate each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which 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 completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Maupuia rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Maupuia rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maupuia

Rental properties in Maupuia must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maupuia

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Maupuia

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.