Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st 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 whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is leasing the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in 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 within 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 can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Aro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task for the house to retain warmth.

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

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 better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for during a home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today and book your rental properties house evaluation.