Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely 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 tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Maungaraki rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control on Maungaraki rental properties.

Start now and call about the Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Maungaraki

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

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space in a rental property has to 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 take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maungaraki

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge 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 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 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. 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

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.