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 ensure 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 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 and determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work required. needs to be done, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in 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 plus additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are 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

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

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

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Te Aro rental properties.

Start now and call about having 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 humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or a clear draught out of a hole or gap and you can feel it, it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out into the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro require a reliable source of heat which can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, it should include the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be less difficult to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least to open to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Aro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure that the insulation is in line with current quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make more easy to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

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 It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the 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 through The Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting the house review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.