Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 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 rental properties must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager of the work required. requirements to be done, and provide the report with all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, and are completely certified for 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be done by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the property manager does not supply the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It’s also important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are given for the most serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, and result in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an home assessment done on your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Arakura, and research indicates that rental homes are likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Additionally, those who have reported at least four key housing quality problems frequently have poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the quality of Arakura rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Arakura rental properties.

Start now and call about the Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp house will cost more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be fixed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can cause draughts and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure well-being homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura require a reliable heating source that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended 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) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, it must have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within a rental house must have at least one openable windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is all about understanding how dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door , or skylight needs to have the ability open to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Arakura

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated house will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and also makes an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 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 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

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have effective drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to the drainage system that will prevent water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between floorboards and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps in preventing 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 by Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Arakura include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are many things to check in the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house assessment.