Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which needs to be done and provide an assessment report that includes all the information 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 under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified 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 new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Te Aro rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are 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 the Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit within your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most 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 heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the living area already has a fixed heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, and stay closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure the insulation meets 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 help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness as well as making much easier for the house to keep heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with The Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine during a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental properties house assessment.