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? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given only for serious breaches. 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.

Clearly, failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Te Aro, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Te Aro rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Te Aro rental properties.

Start now and call about receiving a Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A draughty home is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within your home require the sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro need to have a stable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dry air will be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy for the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the property. It also helps 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

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are numerous things you should look for in a house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.