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? Landlords must make sure their Aro Valley 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 areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done, and offer the report with all the information required 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 landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Aro Valley rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space of a rental home must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties home evaluation.