Healthy Homes Assessment Aotea

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure their Aotea rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the tasks required. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as completely qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6793

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Aotea rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be finished by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on the Aotea 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 within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person leasing the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearings.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet 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 house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance important?

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

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Aotea rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower 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, and Draught Control within Aotea rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Aotea Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Aotea

Draughts may lead to lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out from the home need to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow movement of the building as the house heats and cools, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for healthy homes

Heating Aotea

Rental properties in Aotea require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source needs that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in some cases like small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If your living space already has a fixed heating source like a heat pump, then it may require an update in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the standard since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Aotea

Every living space of a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan to get rid of moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is all about understanding the fact that dried air can be easier to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside and remain closed to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Aotea

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the household to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values of your area.

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of 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 below floor R 1.3

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

Aotea Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the inside it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is frequently those things that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the property has an enclosed space between your flooring and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Aotea

The areas of rental property that are affected through Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Aotea include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• 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 in a house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.