Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have 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 certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate 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 contract is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Maungaraki rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Maungaraki

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the house to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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

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

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

The areas of rental property that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.