Healthy Homes Assessment Maraenui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Maraenui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate both 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, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Maraenui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a 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 are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Maraenui, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Maraenui rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Maraenui rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Maraenui Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maraenui

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Maraenui

Maraenui rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maraenui

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs at least to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Maraenui

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 and underfloor 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 what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Maraenui

Property rental areas that are affected to the Healthy Homes Standard in Maraenui include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maraenui for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.