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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Aotea, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Aotea rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable 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 gap or hole or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within your home require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Aotea

Rental properties in Aotea require a reliable heating source which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must include the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Aotea

Each living space within a rental home must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallways are not 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 stay at an open angle in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Aotea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s usually not apparent that it could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard 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 myriad of things to check when conducting an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has 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 accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.