Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 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 and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Aro Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties require a reliable source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature 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 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain 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 your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental property home evaluation.