Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified for 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 new or renewed contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment performed for your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Aro Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping within Aro Valley rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient 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 standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Aro Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes more easy to the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps to 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 Aro Valley

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to The Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home assessment.