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? Landlords must make sure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Te Aro, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the standard of Te Aro rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping on Te Aro rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts can lead to less temperature in homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house is heated and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties should have a permanent heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be much easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to allow the household to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• 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 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to look over when conducting a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.