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 in force on July 1, 2021? The 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 rental properties are required to 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 can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed 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 under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified to assess each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet 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 Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Aro Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated whenever possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

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

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it needs to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space in a rental house must have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising that dry air 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 rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness as well as making more easy to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor 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

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine during an house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• 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 being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.