Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Maungaraki rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Maungaraki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maungaraki

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to the home to hold heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Maungaraki

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.