Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’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 landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home evaluation 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 so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Aotea, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in 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 will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control in 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 may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Aotea

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

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Aotea

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Aotea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the home to hold warmth.

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

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

• 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, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Aotea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.