Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? 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 rental properties are required to be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Te Aro, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

Improving the quality of Te Aro rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will also be better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

Start now and call about getting a Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties require a reliable source of heating which 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 minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

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

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

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

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Aro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement on all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during an home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.