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 effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work that needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be finished within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Aro Valley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in 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-stopping for Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in households. A humid house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Aro Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making much easier to the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well 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 area of 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, underfloor R 1.3

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental property house evaluation.