Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Maupuia rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Maupuia rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Maupuia Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maupuia

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature 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 of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maupuia

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Maupuia

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the house to keep warmth.

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

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maupuia

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.