Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware 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 renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified 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 assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, and are completely certified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It’s also crucial to note that a landlord who own several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

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

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the quality of Arakura rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and reduce the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of illness. Your investment is also protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught stopping within Arakura rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A humid home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught could be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a gap or hole that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties must have a fixed source of heat that can warm the living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed 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 portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source such as the heat pump, it may require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or unsafe to operate.

See the full details for details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is less difficult to heat and heat, and a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, 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 to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your property with a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in each livable space and will also check for the proper extractor fans for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to make sure the insulation meets the new standard. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and it will make it easier to the household to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface as well as groundwater to move and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also helps in preventing moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Rental property areas affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.