Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required 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 rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Te Marua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of 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 Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Te Marua rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Te Marua Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Marua

Te Marua rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Marua

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is less difficult to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Marua

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Marua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during an house evaluation to determine 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 water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.