Healthy Homes Assessment Maraenui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Maraenui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information 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 who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Maraenui, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Maraenui rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maraenui

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Maraenui

Rental properties in Maraenui must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Maraenui

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Maraenui

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier for the home to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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

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

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maraenui

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maraenui for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.