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 in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure 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 rentals must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in 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.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re 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

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and request a house assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research has shown that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Te Aro rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping in Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A damp home is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out from your home require sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as possible.

You don’t require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro need to have a stable heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it should be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as a heat pump, then it may need some additional energy to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the quality because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air will be easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or the skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – all area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 to The Healthy Homes Standard in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.