Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 assess your rental property to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work which needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, if a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a house assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Aotea, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. In addition, people who report at least four major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Aotea rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Aotea rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts are a major cause of dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit from your home need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the home heats and cools, in order to let them be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being houses

Heating Aotea

Aotea rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to be equipped with an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either costly, not affordable to run, or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space in a rental property has to include at least one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier 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 areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and any other area in your property with shower, bath and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Aotea

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of dampness and mould, and also makes an easier task for the house to retain heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

Property rental areas that are affected by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Aotea include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting the home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.