Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed 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 can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Te Marua rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs 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 in Te Marua rental properties.

Start now and call 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 households. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Marua

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Marua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Marua

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with 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 numerous things to look over when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties home assessment.