Healthy Homes Assessment Maraenui

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Maraenui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the 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 fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now 0800 894 138

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maraenui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Maraenui, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improving the standard of Maraenui rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as 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 increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for well-being houses

Heating Maraenui

Maraenui rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable 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 should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maraenui

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Maraenui

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Maraenui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop 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

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Maraenui include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Maraenui for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house assessment.