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 are now required to make sure that 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 rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be completed and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

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

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Aro Valley rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley must have a fixed heating source 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 minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this 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 the Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.