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 must make sure their Aro Valley rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that requirements to be completed and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are fully qualified to evaluate each of 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 work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Aro Valley, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Aro Valley rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping on Aro Valley rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Aro Valley Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aro Valley

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out into your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the household heats and cools, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will check every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Aro Valley

Aro Valley rental properties need to have a stable heating source which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even on the 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 wellbeing.

The heating source requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small 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 pump it must include the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aro Valley

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to have the ability of opening to the outside, but remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require appropriate extractor fans that vent to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Aro Valley

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the home to hold heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of 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

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

Aro Valley Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aro Valley

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Aro Valley include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aro Valley for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to be able to examine in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home assessment.