Healthy Homes Assessment Maupuia

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Maupuia, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Maupuia rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of 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, and Draught Stopping in 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 are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Maupuia

Maupuia rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is 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 be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Maupuia

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with current standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the household to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Maupuia include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.