Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

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 Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

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

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Aro Valley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs 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 as Draught Stopping for Aro Valley rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A cold home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make much easier to allow the house to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient 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, underfloor R 1.3
• 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 standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in an house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

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

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental property home evaluation.