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? The landlords are now required to ensure that 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 rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on 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 within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Te Marua rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Te Marua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, 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 cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Marua

Each living space within the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Marua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Marua

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Te Marua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties home assessment.