Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed lease is entered into on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Aotea, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Aotea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical 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-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Aotea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Aotea

Rental properties in Aotea require a reliable heating source that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements at least open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Aotea

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making more easy for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Aotea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over in an home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, 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 a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house assessment.