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 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 rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $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 Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Aotea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Aotea rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out into the house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding 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 source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat source, it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source such as a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space of a rental property must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening door or window.

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Aotea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

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

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough 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 being in the wrong of an ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.