Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in 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. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6792

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once 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.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improve the standard of Te Marua rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Te Marua rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Te Marua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Marua

Te Marua rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should include an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Marua

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Marua

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

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Marua

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.