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 in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and provide an evaluation 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 landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or misleading 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, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs 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’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could require some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. 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 the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

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

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least to open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes much easier to the house to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between the floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through The Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have 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 the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home assessment.