Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed 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 in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are handed down 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 hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households rent in New Zealand and Aotea, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Aotea rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and 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 increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Aotea

Aotea rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 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 wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could need a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aotea

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dry air is much easier to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Aotea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the house to keep warmth.

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 measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.