Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once 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.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Aro Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from your house require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley should have a permanent source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is easier to heat and 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 considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to the house to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a 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 from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

The areas of rental property that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• 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 is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate 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 being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.