Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside 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 upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Te Marua rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Te Marua rental properties.

Start now and call about the Te Marua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Te Marua

Te Marua rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the 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 as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Marua

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Marua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your 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 Te Marua

Property rental areas that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Marua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.