Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to 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 are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to evaluate both 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Maupuia rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less 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, as well Draught stopping for Maupuia rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no need 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 movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maupuia

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maupuia

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.