Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 healthier homes associated fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

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

It is clear that failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment done 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 rent homes in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Maupuia rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping in Maupuia rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Maupuia

Rental properties in Maupuia need to have a stable source of heating that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Maupuia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maupuia

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• 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 the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property house assessment.