Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have 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 rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work which needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under 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 healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to note that landlords who have multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be older, colder, have less effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Control for Aro Valley rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside homes. A damp house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the house require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine every window and door during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the insulation.

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

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• 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? require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today and book your rental properties house evaluation.