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 effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that 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 rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done, and offer the 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 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess each of 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 brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Te Marua rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs 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 as Draught stopping in 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 lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Marua

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Marua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Te Marua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over in a house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.