Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

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 are now required to make sure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

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

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

We can assess your rental property and determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be done and offer a report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully qualified for both 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 or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be completed inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days from receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s an additional fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is who is letting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that a landlord who manage multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improving the quality of Te Aro rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught stopping for Te Aro rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes 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 crack or a gap and you can feel it, it’s likely a crack or an opening that requirements sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need sealing. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the home warms and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro need to have a stable source of heat that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it may require a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising it is that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. This 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.

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

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required in all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to allow the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area 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

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

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Te Aro

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check in a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental properties house assessment.