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? The 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 rental properties must be fully in compliance by July 1st 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. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully qualified for 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is listed on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

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

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Aro Valley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and 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 lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, 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 crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your house need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each living space within a rental home must include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding how dry air is less difficult to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

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

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Aro Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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 the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.