Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Maungaraki rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping on Maungaraki rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs 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 hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Maungaraki

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the home to hold warmth.

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

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maungaraki 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 to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.