Healthy Homes Assessment Maraenui

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 now have to make sure that their Maraenui 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 are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be done and provide a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 856 525

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Maraenui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Maraenui, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Maraenui rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maraenui

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the house require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Maraenui

Maraenui rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Maraenui

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Maraenui

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, as well as making it easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Maraenui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Maraenui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maraenui for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property home evaluation.