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 must ensure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely 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 your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed 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 each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Aro Valley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

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

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large 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 crack or a gap, then it is probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out of the house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or Skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Aro Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and it will make it easier to the house to hold the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house assessment.