Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be completed within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a home inspection 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?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Aotea, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Aotea rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Aotea rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Aotea

Rental properties in Aotea require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space of the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dry air will be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Aotea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 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 this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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

Property rental areas that are affected through The Healthy Homes Standard in Aotea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home assessment.