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 now have to ensure that their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must 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 can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord with multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and arrange to have an home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the quality of Aro Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living due to health issues. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control on 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 may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the house need the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the building when the house heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley require a reliable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it could require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes more easy for the home to keep warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

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 for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to look over in the house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.