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? The landlords are now required to ensure their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely certified to assess 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve 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 daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Te Aro rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving 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 homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure as the home warms and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro require a reliable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the 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 pump, then it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Aro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

See the full 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 to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.