Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords must 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 must be fully in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas covered in 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 standards. After the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. requirements to be done and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re fully qualified to evaluate 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be finished inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. In addition, if the currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the renewal, new or amended 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 property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days from receiving the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

In addition, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It’s also important to note that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket and result in large fines in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and ask us to conduct an house assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Arakura, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes are associated with negative health outcomes, particularly for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who reported four or more major housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Arakura rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and living because of diseases. Your investment is also better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in lower maintenance costs over the long term.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A cold home will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole that is, it is likely a crack or hole that needs sealing in some way. Large cracks and gaps should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out from the house need to be sealed. For instance, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors might be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the house warms and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is important for healthy houses

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties should have a permanent source of heat which can warm the largest or main living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity and have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the existing fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater or heat pump, then it must be equipped with the thermostat. This makes the heating more consistent and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the quality because they’re not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in a rental house must include at least one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can get rid of moisture.

The ventilation quality is all about understanding how the dry atmosphere is easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway are not considered liveable and are not need an opening window or door.

Each door, window or the skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open to the outside while remaining set in an opening position, allowing ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses shower, bath cooker or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Arakura

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the house to keep warmth.

Insulation needs 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 higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside it is also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go and also stop it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is frequently not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of the stormwater and surface waters and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture in the ground from getting into the property. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor 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

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to check in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.