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 now have to ensure that their Te Aro rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully certified to assess 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement 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 the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an home assessment done for your rental property.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be older, colder, are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Te Aro rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Te Aro rental properties.

Start now and call about having a Te Aro Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A damp home costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy homes

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro must have a fixed source of heat which can warm the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality since they’re either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Each living space within a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Te Aro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to make sure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to the house to hold heat.

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

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

• 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 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

See the full 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to look over when conducting the home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today and book your rental properties house assessment.