Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for the Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to comply with all of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are handed down only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Arakura, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Arakura rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp , which means less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping for Arakura rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in households. A draughty home will cost more to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a hole or gap or crack, then it’s probably a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out into the house need seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever possible.

There is no require to block off holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household warms and cools to allow them to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura must have a fixed heating source that can warm the living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, 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 heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if the existing fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat source, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like apartments with small spaces an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source like a heat pump, then it might just need an upgrade to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Every living space in the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is a requirement in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the house to retain the heat.

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

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well the insulation can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

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

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is usually those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damages to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Rental property areas affected through the Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for in the home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to book your rental property house assessment.