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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is 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 responsible for this fine is the person 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 property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Aro Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Aro Valley rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Aro Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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 inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards 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 numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home evaluation.