Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is executed, and it is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Aotea, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Aotea rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your home need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

There is no require to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Heating Aotea

Aotea rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can heat the living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aotea

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is more easy to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your property with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

Insulation Aotea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and also makes more easy to allow the home to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with the Healthy Homes Standards in Aotea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over during an house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home assessment.