Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could 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 are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house assessment performed on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Te Aro rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as 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 might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Aro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier for the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the standard of 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.