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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

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 done within 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 done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a house evaluation performed for 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 So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Te Marua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in 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 can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For 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 small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Marua

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Marua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 Te Marua

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Marua include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.