Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to 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 can evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work that requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of 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 $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

We are completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Te Aro rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards 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 increase the likelihood of less temperature in households. A damp house will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into your home require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will test all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro must have a fixed heating source which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current 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 aren’t considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Aro

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within 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 dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to the house to hold heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.