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 of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Maupuia rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and 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 the tasks required. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Maupuia rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request a house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for 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 suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Maupuia rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Maupuia rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving 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 households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Maupuia

Rental properties in Maupuia need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Maupuia

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Maupuia

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

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

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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

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

Maupuia Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maupuia for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.