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 are now required to ensure their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Maungaraki rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements 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 gap or hole and you can feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Maungaraki

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home assessment.