Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea 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 the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully 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 evaluate your rental property to check whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified for 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, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person responsible for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious breaches. Landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Arakura, and research shows us that these rental houses tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower standard than those owned by owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental wellbeing.

Improve the standard of Arakura rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well as Draught Control within Arakura rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A damp home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out of your home need sealing. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it could cause draughts, and must be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the structure when the household heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump it should have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

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

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door or Skylight needs at least of opening to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outside. The 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.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Arakura

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must make sure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the household to hold the heat.

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

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder of the 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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a place to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full 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 to The Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties home evaluation.