Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

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

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely qualified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

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 Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be completed within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they will receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is renting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It’s important to remember that landlords who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property, contact us today and ask us to conduct a house inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Arakura, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and have less effective heating and tend to be of poorer quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Arakura rental property will help tenants experience improved mental and physical health and minimise the interruption to learning, work and daily life due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Arakura rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts increase the likelihood of dropping temperatures within homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught could be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will check all windows and doors as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum required heating capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it must be equipped with an thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within a rental house must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

A ventilation quality is about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door or Skylight requirements to have the ability to open to the outside and remain closed, allowing the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A dry and warm house is an ideal home

Insulation Arakura

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure that the insulation is up to the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and it will make an easier task to allow the house to hold heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building but you must ensure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently those concerns that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue, causing damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of rainwater, storm water, and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the surface, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from entering the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Property rental areas that are affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during an home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.