Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Te Aro rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Te Aro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists 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 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 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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 Te Aro

Property rental areas that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.