Healthy Homes Assessment Marewa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure 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 rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be done and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Marewa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on a Marewa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Marewa, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Improving the standard of Marewa rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Marewa rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Marewa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Marewa

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out from the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Marewa

Rental properties in Marewa require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of 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 the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Marewa

Every living space in a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Marewa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Marewa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Marewa

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Marewa for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.