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 make sure their Maraenui rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’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 found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Maraenui rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for 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 inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Maraenui, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Maraenui rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Maraenui rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Maraenui Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Maraenui

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the house need the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Maraenui

Rental properties in Maraenui must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Maraenui

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Maraenui

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task for the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Maraenui Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place 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 rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 by The 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 many things to check when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.