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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Maraenui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’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 to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to assess 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, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maraenui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Maraenui, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Maraenui rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Maraenui rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maraenui

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the household warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Maraenui

Rental properties in Maraenui should have a permanent source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Maraenui

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Maraenui

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maraenui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maraenui

The areas of rental property that are affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Maraenui include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maraenui for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.