Healthy Homes Assessment Marewa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure their Marewa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 365 444

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Marewa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Marewa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

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

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or 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 renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as 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 a home evaluation 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?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Marewa, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Marewa rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Marewa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Marewa

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A cold home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Marewa

Marewa rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Marewa

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able open to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Marewa

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better 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, 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Marewa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Marewa

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Marewa include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Marewa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house assessment.