Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of 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 a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 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 whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the standard of Te Marua rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

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

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

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, 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 health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Te Marua

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

Insulation Te Marua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Marua

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Marua include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.