Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of 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 a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for both 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 work must be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house assessment performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details 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 the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Aro Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping in Aro Valley rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your house require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must include a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it might require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and therefore do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the house to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• 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 all of the 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

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s often those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standards 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 myriad of things to be able to examine in the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.