Healthy Homes Assessment Te Marua

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Te Marua rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779

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 have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Te Marua rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

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

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Te Marua, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Te Marua rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Marua

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Te Marua

Rental properties in Te Marua must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional 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 provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Marua

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Marua

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the household to hold heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

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

Te Marua Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Marua

The areas of rental property that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Marua include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Marua for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.