Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords are now required to ensure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant 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 and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’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 landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties we 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

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on the Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is who is letting the property It could also be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request an house assessment performed for your rental property.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Te Aro rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out within the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro must have a fixed heating source that can heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it must include an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it may need some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside while remaining closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between floorboards and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from entering the property. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Te Aro

Areas of rental properties that are impacted through the Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to be able to examine when conducting a home review 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 sub floor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice get in touch now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.