Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks that needs to be done, and provide the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is important to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households the property in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research indicates that rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Te Aro rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

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.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within your home need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Aro

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

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must have an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a permanent 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 used to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus don’t require an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Te Aro

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier to allow the house to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part 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 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about 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 of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your 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

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does 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 consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.