Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, we are fully qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property 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 current when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord who own several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property call us now and request an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Aotea, and research suggests that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four key house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Enhancing the quality of Aotea rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment is also safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

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 in Aotea rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about getting a Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts may lead to less temperature in households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air entering or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t need to cover up gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building when the house warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure well-being houses

Heating Aotea

Aotea rental properties need to have a stable source of heat which can warm the living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard because they’re not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dried air can be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Aotea

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement for all rent houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and will also make much easier to allow the home to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble, causing damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 Aotea

Property rental areas that are affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Aotea include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Aotea for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for in an home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.