Healthy Homes Assessment Aro Valley

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the property manager does not provide the necessary information within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement letter and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, with huge fines, in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an home assessment performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Aro Valley rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and living due to diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught Stopping within Aro Valley rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes the area needs 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 likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into the house require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the home is heated and cools to allow them to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Aro Valley

Rental properties in Aro Valley need to have a stable heating source that can warm the main or largest living area to at minimum 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 well-being.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source like the heat pump, it could need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Each liveable space in a rental property has to include at least one open doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about acknowledging that dry air is easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Aro Valley

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make an easier task to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

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

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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from getting into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete 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 The Healthy Homes Standards in Aro Valley include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• 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 a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.