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 now have to ensure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas 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 meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research has shown that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit of your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make more easy for the home to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your 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

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.