Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the work needed to be completed. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards of 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 as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We’re fully independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of 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, once a new or renewed contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, 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 home they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the necessary information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy contract is signed. It is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who have multiple rental properties may receive even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in huge fines, in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Arakura, and research shows us that these rental homes are likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Arakura rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping for Arakura rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about the Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts may lead to less temperature in houses. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or 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’s likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out into the home require seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can create draughts. This should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for the movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine the windows and doors in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be suitable heating options in those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include the thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details for the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus do not need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is mandatory on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside but 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 comes to moisture and damp it’s often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water, and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from entering the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor 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 Arakura

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Arakura include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are many things to check during an home review to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.