Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Aotea, and research indicates that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Aotea rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

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

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your home need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Aotea

Rental properties in Aotea require a reliable heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aotea

Each liveable space in a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air is more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position, allowing for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Aotea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• 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 standard.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

The areas of rental property that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Aotea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have 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 a Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.