Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must ensure 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 must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

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

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the work needed to be completed. needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days from getting the notice, the tenant may receive an infringement notification and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property call us now and arrange to have an house assessment done on your rental property.

See the full details for this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent the property in New Zealand and Arakura, and research suggests that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower psychological well-being.

Improving the quality of Arakura rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in households. A damp house costs more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement within the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather instead of being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump it needs to have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, such as the heat pump, it may require an update to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Arakura

Every living space in a rental property has to have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air will be easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable , and thus are not require an opening door or window.

Each door, window or skylight requirements at least to open up to the outside while remaining set in an opening position to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may require to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making more easy for the home to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

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

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from getting into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

The areas of rental property that are affected by Healthy Homes Standard. 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 myriad of things to be able to examine when conducting a home review to determine if your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.