Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

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

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on 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?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Maupuia rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Maupuia

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

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

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

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

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maupuia

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.