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 now have to ensure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties must be completely 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 the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

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Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of the house require sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties require a reliable heating source that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Aro

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Aro

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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 to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.