Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide a 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 in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully qualified to assess both 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 items need to be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 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 comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Maungaraki rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within 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 can lead to less temperature in households. A humid home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like heat pumps, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maungaraki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making much easier for the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent 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 The Healthy Homes Standard in Maungaraki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine in an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.