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 effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified 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 items have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and request an home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households rent homes in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Improving the quality of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control within Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out within your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as a heat pump, then it might just require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that dry air is more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the household to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest 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, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically the things you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Learn more about 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 myriad of 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. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.