Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? Landlords must ensure their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 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 whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks needed to be completed. needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of up to $7,200 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, we are 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

From the 1st of July in 2021, if 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.

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

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance needs to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any relevant work gets completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet and result in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and ask us to conduct an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households homes in New Zealand and Arakura, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy homes are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who reported four or more major home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower well-being.

Improve the standard of Arakura rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment is also better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning lower costs for maintenance in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control within Arakura rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap, then it’s most likely a gap or an opening that needs sealing in any way. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out into your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement within the building when the household gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure well-being homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the{ main or largest|| largest or main| principal or the biggest} living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the current fixed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger fixed heating devices such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In some instances, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room already has a central heating source, like the heat pump, it could need a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Every living space in a rental property must have at least one openable window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is about recognising how dried air can be less difficult to heat and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability open to the outside, but remain at an open angle in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will require suitable extractor fans that vent to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy house

Insulation Arakura

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets the new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space may need to be topped up or replaced.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the house to retain warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

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

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

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is often not apparent that it could be a huge problem, causing the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between the floor and the ground, a ground water barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, to block any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor 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 by Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are many things to be able to examine during a home assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties home assessment.