Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you have any idea that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 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 rentals must be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re fully 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 or renewed tenancy is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who provide a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the tenancy as any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request an home inspection performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households in New Zealand and Arakura, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older, have less effective heating, and generally have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improve the quality of Arakura rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to illness. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance in the long run.

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

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

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

If a draught can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap, then it is likely to be a gap or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air into or out from the home need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no need to block up intentional gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow movement of the building when the household heats and cools, in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will test all windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is important for well-being homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura must have a fixed source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if your current fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it should include a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as the heat pump, it could require an update in order to comply with the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dry air is much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens, and dining areas are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable and don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will require proper extractor fan systems that vent out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas of high moisture.

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

A cozy dry home is an ideal home

Insulation Arakura

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is a requirement for all rent homes as of July 1st, 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 sub floor space may need to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy to the home to keep the heat.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest part 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from water damage isn’t only about the inside it is 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 about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the building. It also helps prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Find out all the details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check in a home assessment to see if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Does the subfloor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For expert advice, call today to book your rental property home assessment.