Healthy Homes Assessment Marewa

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Marewa rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in 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 whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of 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 up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess 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 tenancy is signed on a Marewa rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Marewa, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Marewa rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about having a Marewa Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Marewa

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Marewa

Rental properties in Marewa should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it might just need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Marewa

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Marewa

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task for the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Marewa Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and 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 water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 to the Healthy Homes Standards in Marewa include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Marewa for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.