Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of 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 any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully conforming by the 1st 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 to check 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 that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required 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 any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease 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 Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Aro Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about the Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Aro Valley

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

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it could need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air is easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Aro Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to the house to keep 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 withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property house evaluation.