Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 can assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations 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 up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Te Marua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Te Marua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC 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 well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Marua

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Marua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Marua

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard 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 a myriad of concerns you should look for during the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.