Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work required. 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 fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate 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 new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is important to note that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down for severe breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet with huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental houses are likely to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Aro Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Aro Valley rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts can lead to less temperature in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out within the home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the existing permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat source, it needs to be equipped with the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space of the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how dried air can be more easy to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Aro Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets the new standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the home to hold the heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the 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 all of the 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically what you don’t see that could be a huge problem and cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with 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 an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.