Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is also crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping within Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts can lead to less temperature in households. A cold home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home need to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

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

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Te Aro

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness as well as making it easier to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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

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

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part 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 the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

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

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over in the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house assessment.