Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must 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 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’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 any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely certified to assess 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

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

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also crucial to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Te Aro rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

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

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your house need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure when the household heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it might need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air is much easier 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 considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Te Aro

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands 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 rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically 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 water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to look over when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.