Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed, and provide a 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 breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified to assess 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 contract is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Aotea, and research has shown that these rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Aotea rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Aotea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Aotea

Aotea rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space in a rental house must include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be less difficult to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Aotea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and will also make an easier task to the home to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

Rental property areas affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Aotea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.