Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a 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 determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully certified for both 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding 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 being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing 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, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the standard of Aro Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Aro Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make an easier task for the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with 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 higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.