Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work which requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified to assess 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done within 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and request a house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Aro Valley rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may require a top up to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum 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 to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, as well as making it easier to the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is usually what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps 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

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• 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 the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.