Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed 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:

• 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 standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be executed, and it must be updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Aro Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping within Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A cold house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your house require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as imaginable.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the home is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley need to have a stable heating source that can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are 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 contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task for the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement 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 – all area 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 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this 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 to allow surface, rain or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your 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

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting the home assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties home assessment.