Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals 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 will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the details 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect 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 which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s important to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Te Aro, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, 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 psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

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

Contact us now to discuss having a Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from your house need the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it could require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient 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 quality.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Aro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with 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 more effective 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 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 quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the 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 with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.