Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate your rental property to check if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of 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 healthier homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as fully certified to assess 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, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to provide the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can be issued an infringement notice and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it is finished.

It is important to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a house assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Arakura, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes can have negative health results, specifically for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who experience four or more major issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

Improve the quality of Arakura rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and living because of health issues. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Arakura rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit into the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure when the household gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura should have a permanent source of heat that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The source of heating requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether the current fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat source, it needs to have an thermostat. This will help make your heating more consistent and effective. For the majority of houses, bigger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the living area already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality because they’re costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not living spaces and therefore do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside while remaining set in an opening position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A comfortable, dry home is a healthy house

Insulation Arakura

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required on all rental homes since July 1, 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some cases, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated house can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and it will make much easier for the household to keep the heat.

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

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation is able to resist heat flow. The more high the R-value, more effective the insulation.

• 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 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that could be a huge problem that can cause damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and ground water, which includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the structure. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete 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 Standard in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a variety of concerns to check when conducting an house review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call now and schedule your rental properties home evaluation.