Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not 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 are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Aotea, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Aotea rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control in Aotea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a crack or a gap that is, it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Aotea

Aotea rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aotea

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Aotea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent 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 Aotea

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Aotea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• 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 house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.