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 of July 2021? Landlords are now required 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 rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully qualified for both 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant will receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent in New Zealand and Aotea, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Aotea rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control in Aotea rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine all doors and windows as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Aotea

Aotea rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aotea

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising how the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Aotea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective 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 isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Aotea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house assessment.