Healthy Homes Assessment Maungaraki

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Maungaraki rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it could require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Maungaraki

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making more easy for the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete 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 with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maungaraki include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.