Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Maupuia, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Maupuia rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on Maupuia rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maupuia

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Maupuia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make it easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 standard.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maupuia

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during a house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.