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 now have to ensure 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 fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in 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 standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information 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 who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors for 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over 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 on Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for healthy houses

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have the thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of a rental house must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is less difficult to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental houses from 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 certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the household to keep warmth.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full details of the 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 with The Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the 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 replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an 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 landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.