Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are fully qualified to evaluate 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 for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down 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.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Aro Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

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 an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for well-being houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one opening door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Aro Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets current standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to allow the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 with the Healthy Homes Standards 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 be able to examine when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has 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 an Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.