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 July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that requirements to be done, and provide a report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to evaluate 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct a house assessment done for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

Enhancing the standard of Te Aro rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less 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, and Draught Control on Te Aro rental properties.

Begin now by calling about having a Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent 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 necessary to allow for movement within the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will check all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important for well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro require a reliable source of heat that can heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should be equipped with the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like an air conditioner, it might require some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can eliminate moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dry air will be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable and do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or the skylight needs at least to open to the outside and remain at an open angle in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task to the home to retain heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a 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 moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and the ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the property. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring 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
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.