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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required to 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 rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed 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 violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for 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 contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 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 adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home evaluation performed on 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?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Aro Valley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means 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, and Draught-stopping in Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during our 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

Rental properties in Aro Valley need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Aro Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and it will make it easier for the household to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements 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 insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher 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 of the 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 standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the 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.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about 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 Standard in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces 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?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental property home assessment.