Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Aotea, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report four or more key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Aotea rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Control in Aotea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out from your home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Aotea

Aotea rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may require a top up to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Aotea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making more easy to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically not apparent that it can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

Rental property areas affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Aotea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.