Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must make sure 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 completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to evaluate each of 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and arrange to have an house assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Te Aro rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance 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 Draught Stopping on Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

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

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it could need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each living space within a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air is more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. This 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.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Te Aro

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier for the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.