Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks which needs to be done and provide the report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach 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 $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely qualified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation 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 landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control for Te Aro rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A humid home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being houses

Heating Te Aro

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

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each living space within a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Te Aro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier to allow the household to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, 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 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.