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 must ensure 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 conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work which requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the information needed for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties we are completely certified for each of 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, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy 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 Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is also crucial to be aware that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who report at least four key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Aro Valley rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Aro Valley rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting 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 houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a crack or a gap, then it is most likely a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will examine every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley must have a fixed heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the fixed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it should have a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. However, in certain instances like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how dry air is less difficult 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 liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and will also make more easy to allow the home to hold the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented 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 isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor 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

The areas of rental property that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for in an house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.