Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required 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 rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes connected fines.

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to assess both 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, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the property manager fails to supply the required information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research shows us that these rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses like colds, flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improve the quality of Te Aro rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruptions to their work, education and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts may lead to low temperatures inside households. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap, then it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into your house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Te Aro

Te Aro rental properties should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might just need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space in the rental property should have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to eliminate moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside, and stay closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need suitable extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Te Aro

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes an easier task to the home to keep heat.

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

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the 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

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and cause the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent water ingress, if the rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists 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

Property rental areas that are affected with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard 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 many concerns to check during an home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• 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 being on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.