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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully 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 check if it meets the 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 offer the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Te Marua rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is 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 entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Marua

Te Marua rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Marua

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Marua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and 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

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

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Marua

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Marua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.