Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 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 evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be completed, and offer 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 under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

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

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Te Marua, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Te Marua rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Te Marua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Te Marua

Te Marua rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Marua

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Te Marua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in an home evaluation 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 well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.