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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Maupuia, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Maupuia rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving a Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Maupuia

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

The heating source requirements to be 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 space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Maupuia

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and 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 liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance 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 throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Maupuia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also assists 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.