Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, we are 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

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation 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 property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping for Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest 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 and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Aro

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue that can cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• 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 home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.