Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate 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 any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified to assess both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Maungaraki rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Maungaraki rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maungaraki

Maungaraki rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maungaraki

Each liveable space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maungaraki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the house to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maungaraki

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standard in Maungaraki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.