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 of July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Aro Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed 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 portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making much easier to allow the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside 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 inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check in a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.