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 must make sure that their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on the Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

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

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Maupuia, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Maupuia rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping within 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 are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Maupuia

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Maupuia

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.