Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure 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 compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done and offer the report with all the information needed 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 found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or 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 one who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within households. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Aro Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement to all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the home to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to look over during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.