Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords are now required to 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 fully conforming by the 1st 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 to check whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. requirements to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to evaluate 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be taken care of inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy agreement as the one who is letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be correct when the tenancy contract is signed. It should be maintained during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious violations. Those who have more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Arakura, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who report four or more major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improving the standard of Arakura rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Arakura rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in households. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air in or out into the house require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t need to block up intentional holes or gaps in the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial for healthy houses

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties should have a permanent source of heating that can heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity and have the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether the installed heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll need to "top up" with an additional heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open windows or an exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation quality is all about acknowledging it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable , and thus don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other humidity-generating items will require adequate extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Arakura

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required on all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make an easier task to the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well insulation resists 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 – all 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 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water and stop it from coming into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically the things you don’t notice that could be a huge problem, causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to remove storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water has a place to go, and that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between the floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from getting into the building. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of this 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 through the Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns you should look for when conducting a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home in accordance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional advice, call today to book your rental properties house assessment.