Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in 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 satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed, and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely 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, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement there could be 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 are living in. If the landlord or property manager does not supply the required information within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Te Aro rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

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

Begin now by calling about receiving 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 houses. A damp home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap that is, it’s most likely a gap or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home heats and cools, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested 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) with at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of a rental property has to contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside while remaining closed, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable for areas that are high in moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Te Aro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier for the house to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to remove rainwater, storm water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

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 numerous things to check in a home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property home evaluation.