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 effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge 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 ask us to conduct an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Te Marua rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Te Marua rental properties.

Start now and call about the Te Marua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will check every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Te Marua

Te Marua rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the permanent 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 mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it could need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Marua

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Marua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Marua

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Marua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.