Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified 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, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may 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 fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Aro Valley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Aro Valley rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your house need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Aro Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over during a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.