Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified for both 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 or renewed contract is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Aotea, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Aotea rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Aotea

Rental properties in Aotea need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fix 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 mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to be able to open to the outside while remaining closed to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Aotea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Aotea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• 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 repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.