Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Maupuia, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Maupuia rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Maupuia rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maupuia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.