Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and request an house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping in Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will test every window and door in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley should have a permanent heating source that can heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. 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 heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

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

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are many things to check when conducting an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call now and schedule your rental property house assessment.