Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely qualified for both 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 taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe 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 agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Maupuia, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Maupuia rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Maupuia rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out within the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maupuia

Rental properties in Maupuia require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maupuia

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain closed to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Maupuia

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maupuia

The areas of rental property that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check in the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation 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 an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.