Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must 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 will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and request an home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Aro Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Aro Valley rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during our 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 houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and are 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.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 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 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented 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 the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

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