Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure that their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Aotea, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Aotea rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Aotea rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is probably a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Aotea

Aotea rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it could require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aotea

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Aotea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy to allow the household to retain heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of 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 the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure 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 often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Aotea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property house evaluation.