Healthy Homes Assessment Marewa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Marewa 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 covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Marewa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Marewa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Marewa, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Marewa rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Marewa rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Marewa

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty 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 the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Marewa

Marewa rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Marewa

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Marewa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets current 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 help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the home to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Marewa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps in preventing 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 Marewa

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Marewa include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Marewa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over during an home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.