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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified for 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 work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Te Marua, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Te Marua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Te Marua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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 or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy homes

Heating Te Marua

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

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Te Marua

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Marua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 by the Healthy Homes Standards in Te Marua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.