Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 must be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Te Aro, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the standard of Te Aro rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping in 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 less temperature in houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring 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 windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the home warms and cools so that they can still be opened and closed rather than securing. We will examine every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro must have a fixed heating source which can warm the living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, it should include an thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each living space within a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that dried air can be more easy to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Aro

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold warmth.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are many things to look over when conducting an house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental properties home evaluation.