Healthy Homes Assessment Te Aro

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas that are covered by 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work which needs to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes related fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as fully certified 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, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Te Aro rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

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

In addition, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet the 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 arrange to have a home assessment done for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Te Aro, and research indicates that rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

Enhancing the quality of Te Aro rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control within Te Aro rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Te Aro

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need the sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building as the household is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Te Aro

Rental properties in Te Aro require a reliable source of heating that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is an electric heater or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your main living space already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may need an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Te Aro

Every living space of a rental property must include at least one open doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will require suitable extractor fans that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Te Aro

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement to all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

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

Te Aro Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem and end up causing damage to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about this 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 through the Healthy Homes Standards in Te Aro include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Te Aro for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property house assessment.