Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure their Te Aro 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 areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation 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 healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, and are completely qualified to evaluate 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Te Aro rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Te Aro rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a gap or hole, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within your house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for healthy homes

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties need to have a stable heating source that can heat the living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as heat pumps, it may require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be more easy to heat, and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Te Aro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the household to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor 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 the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties house evaluation.