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 their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about 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 supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Te Marua rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Te Marua rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Te Marua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua should have a permanent source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Marua

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dried air can be much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Marua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and it is a measurement 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 – the remainder 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to lawful 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 expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.