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 effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure that 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 rentals must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely qualified to evaluate 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 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 inside 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 isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Te Aro rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure as the household heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check every window and door during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it may need an update to be able to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be easier to heat and the property that is properly ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements at least to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory in all rental houses as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets current standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and will also make much easier to the house to keep heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor 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 this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

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 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

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through Health Homes Standards. 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 a myriad of things you should look for when conducting an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.