Rentals in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Puketāpapa and Whau Local Board areas can get a free health check ahead of winter.
Eligible tenants can get assistance on making homes energy efficient, dry and warm by registering for Auckland Council’s Healthy Rentals programme.
Puketāpapa Local Board Chair Harry Doig has stressed the importance of having a healthy home.
“People’s health is really important and having a healthy home is an important part of ensuring good health," he says.
The team at Habitat for Humanity offers free home visits, advice and a range of energy saving items and installations to make homes healthy and energy efficient as a part of the program.
“This is good for people’s health over the winter season and also good for the pocket as homes become more efficient and less costly to heat,” says James Davies, Building Services Manager at Habitat for Humanity.
Tracy Mulholland, Whau Local Board Chair, says she hopes people make use of the scheme.
“We know that a healthy home is essential to the wellbeing of our communities and sadly, we also know that there are many which are not up to scratch.
“With winter around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about your home and if it is up to standard.
“We are very pleased to be able to support this venture and encourage as many Whau residents as possible to get a health check done on their property and find out how things can be improved if necessary.”
Checks for landlords and tenants
In addition to supporting tenants with improvements they can make themselves, a healthy home check is carried out to assist landlords with identifying changes that may be required to bring their properties into alignment with the Healthy Homes standards announced recently by Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford.
The council is partnering with Habitat for Humanity which delivers the programme within Mangere-Otahuhu, and Ecomatters Environment Trust which works in the Whau and Puketapapa local board areas.
To be eligible for the healthy rentals project, tenants must live in a private rental home that is hard to keep warm or has problems with dampness and mold and have a low income or health problems related to cold, damp housing.
The programme can help you with getting:
- free advice on how to manage energy and moisture levels and create a healthier home
- free resources, including the installation of LED light bulbs, draught stoppers, hot water cylinder wraps, curtains, and other items that will help you save up to $1000 per year on your power bills
- an independent healthy home check that will be sent to your landlord (with your permission) recommending potential improvements and sources of financial assistance.
Information and criteria are available on our website or email healthyrentals@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or phone 09 890 4610.
