Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Te Marua, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing 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 is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Te Marua rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Te Marua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Te Marua

Te Marua rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and 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 whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Te Marua

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Marua

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps 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

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Marua include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.