Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must ensure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6790

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed contract is signed on a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and arrange to have an house inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. 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 likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who report four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Te Aro rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out from the house require sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be sealed from. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

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

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it must include a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a central heating source, like an air conditioner, it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each living space within a rental house must include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside and remain at an open angle, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home that has a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Aro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, and will also make it easier to the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all 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 (underfloor 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 interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of the stormwater and surface waters, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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

The areas of rental property that are affected by the Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting a house inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.