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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Maungaraki rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Maungaraki rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Maungaraki, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Maungaraki rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is 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 getting a Maungaraki Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maungaraki

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maungaraki

Rental properties in Maungaraki must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maungaraki

Every living space of a rental home must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maungaraki

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

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

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maungaraki Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Maungaraki include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maungaraki for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home assessment.