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? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully certified to evaluate both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once 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 all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

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

It is also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

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

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within the home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro require a reliable source of heating that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Te Aro

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.