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 now have to make sure that their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be completed 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 of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully certified for 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive 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 provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to be aware that landlords with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Te Marua, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Te Marua rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, 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, and Draught stopping for Te Marua rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Marua

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Te Marua

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the house to retain heat.

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

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

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 Standard in Te Marua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.