Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Te Marua rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Te Marua rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Te Marua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Marua

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation 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 cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Te Marua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Marua

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Marua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.