Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Maungaraki rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Maungaraki rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed 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 aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maungaraki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make it easier for the household to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house assessment.