Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Aro Valley rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the lease agreement as being the person renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct when the tenancy agreement is completed, and is updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Aro Valley rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping on Aro Valley rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the 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 houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from the home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the home warms and cools in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the largest or main living space to at least 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat source, it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about understanding that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Aro Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make it easier to the home to keep the heat.

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

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

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

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

See the full details of this 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 with the Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.