Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks which needs to be done and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible 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 name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s important to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Aro Valley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within the house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the home heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards 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.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Aro Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make much easier to allow the home to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a 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 moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.