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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in 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 healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that a landlord who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Aro Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. 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 standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Aro Valley rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the building when the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy homes

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Aro Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and also makes it easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.