Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that 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 rentals must 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 your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified for both 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, 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 property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

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

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test all windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each living space within a rental home must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t need an opening window or door.

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

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our 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 areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and floor R 1.3
• 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 quality.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of 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 doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. 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 numerous concerns to look over during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.