Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Aro Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Aro Valley rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC 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 well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air will be easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain set in an opening position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and every other room of your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task to allow the household to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent 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

Property rental areas that are affected through Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.