Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Aro Valley tenants and landlords can get their rental home peace of mind
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? Landlords are now required to ensure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 healthier homes associated fines.

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

Call Now (04) 280 6779
healthy homes assessment fines for non-compliance
Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is also important to note that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Aro Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Aro Valley rental properties.

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

healthy homes assessment compliance

How Other People Rate Us

An excellent and thorough report! Much appreciated. I’ll definitely be recommending
Callum
This is a high quality service where they are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. I was incredibly impressed by the speed and quality of the inspection and report.
Brendon
Fantastic service, really pleased with how thorough the report was - also impressed that it was able to be done at such short notice. A+
Daniel
When should I need to be in compliance with my Healthy Homes Standards?

Aro Valley Healthy Homes Compliance Timeframes

Tenancies commenced beginning on 1 July 2019 to the 30th June in 2021

  • The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is compulsory to all Aro Valley and New Zealand rental homes where it is reasonably practicable to put in.
  • A Healthy Homes Intent to Comply Statement An Insulation Statement as well as an Insurance Statement should be included in any renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement.
  • Property managers and landlords are required to keep records that demonstrate conformance with the Healthy Homes Standards that apply or will be in force during the tenancy of their rental properties.

Beginning 1 July 2021

  • Private landlords and property managers are required to make sure their rental properties conform to the Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal, new or a change in Tenancy.
  • All boarder homes (except Kainga Ora and registered Community Housing Provider for boarding household tenancies) must meet the Healthy Homes Standard regardless of the date the tenancy was started.

From 1 July 2023

  • All houses that are rented out by Kainga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) and registered Community Housing Providers must meet the Healthy Homes Standards regardless of the date the tenancy was started.

Starting 1 July 2024

  • All rental houses are required to comply with Healthy Homes Standards regardless of the date when the tenancy started.
Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

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home heating inspections
The proper heating equipment is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air is much easier to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

building ventilation inspections
building insulation inspection
A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

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

  • Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
  • Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
  • Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire 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

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters 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 a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

moisture ingress and drainage inspection
rental home assessments
Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

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

  • Living Room
  • Bedrooms
  • Dining Rooms
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to check in the home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

  • Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
  • Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
  • Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
  • Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
  • Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home assessment.

home assessments for rental properties

Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley Wellington 6021

Reasons People Choose Us
About Us &

What We Do

As building inspectors, we deal with all the issues associated with specialist house inspections. We are there to ensure you make the right decision when buying your next home.

We are serious about your investment We will conduct detailed examinations to make sure you don’t receive any expensive or unwelcome surprise costs, meaning you can relax and focus on the enjoyable aspects of purchasing or owning an home.

We are specialised in a range of services to ensure you are fully informed of the condition of any property that you might be looking to purchase or sell along with other solutions.

We do not just cooperate with you, we also work with some important clients such as municipal councils and banks, and insurance firms. They seem to enjoy our peace of mind provided, by the data contained in our building inspection reports.

With our systemised method of conducting your house inspection and the most up-to-date software technology that incorporates digital images into the Report, you are able to actually see any issues discovered. Because of our comprehensive reporting it is easy to understand why we receive so many clients who recommend our services to their family and friends.

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Comprehensive Building Reports

  • Pre Purchase & Pre Sale Reports
  • Building Condition Reports
  • Healthy Homes Assessments
  • General Consultancy
  • Handover Reports
  • Asbestos Compliance
  • Mould Inspection
  • Dilapidation Reports
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