Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done, and provide a report with 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 violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely certified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is crucial to remember that a landlord with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and make arrangements to have a house assessment performed on your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more key issues with their housing often have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improving the quality of Aro Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping within Aro Valley rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s probably a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house need seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the building as the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties require a reliable source of heating which can warm the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it may require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about understanding the fact that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside, but remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the house to keep heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the 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 area 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, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s often the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Aro Valley

Rental property areas affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine when conducting a house assessment to see if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today and book your rental property home assessment.