Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to 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 the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to evaluate each of 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Te Marua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Te Marua rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Te Marua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of 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 out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Marua

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Marua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Marua

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. 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 many concerns to look over during an house assessment to see if 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?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.