Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about 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 necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request a house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Aotea, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Aotea rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Aotea rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Aotea

Rental properties in Aotea require a reliable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it could need an update to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Aotea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

The areas of rental property that are affected through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Aotea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.