Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

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? The landlords are now required to make sure their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report at least four key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Te Aro rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts may lead to less temperature in homes. A humid house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they can still be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat source, it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source like heat pumps, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Te Aro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make an easier task for the home to keep warmth.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand 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 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

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

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.