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 July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

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

Failure to comply with the requirements under 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 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement 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 does not provide the information requested within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for 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 the property in New Zealand and Aotea, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who report four or more major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the standard of Aotea rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less costs of maintenance in 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 Draught Stopping in Aotea rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within households. A draughty house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being homes

Heating Aotea

Aotea rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Aotea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and will also make more easy to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Aotea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental property house evaluation.