Healthy Homes Assessment Maraenui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Maraenui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Maraenui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Maraenui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance 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 person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Maraenui, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Maraenui rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Maraenui rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Maraenui Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maraenui

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the household warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Maraenui

Maraenui rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maraenui

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Maraenui

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy for the house to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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

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

Maraenui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if 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 from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maraenui

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standards in Maraenui include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maraenui for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.