Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 will evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done, and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the home to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The 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 with 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 a myriad of things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.