Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully 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 assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, we are completely qualified for 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, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and arrange to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally are of lower quality than the homes of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Aro Valley rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A damp home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out within your house require the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will check every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley need to have a stable heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each liveable space in a rental house must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is about recognising the fact that dry air is much easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make more easy to the house to retain the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of 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 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually what you don’t see that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

Property rental areas that are affected with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a waterproofing barrier?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties home evaluation.