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 July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant by 1 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 determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Aro Valley rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of your home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it might just need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.