Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any tasks required. requirements to be done, and offer an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to assess 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 new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be done within 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the deadlines can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined as high as $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of up to $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out It could also be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is executed, and it should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any necessary work related to it is finished.

It’s also important to be aware that a landlord 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 be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in huge fines, in addition to having to continue to comply. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Contact us now and request a house inspection performed on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

One in three households rent from New Zealand and Arakura, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as effective heating and tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being outcomes, particularly for illnesses like colds, influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

The improvement in the standard of Arakura rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and daily life due to illnesses. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught-stopping for Arakura rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be perceived as a result of gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be sealed permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out into your house need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it could cause draughts, and should be shut from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed whenever imaginable.

There is no require to block up intentional gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement within the building as the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living room to at least 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fixed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top-up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat source, then it must have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more reliable and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like a heat pump, then it might just require an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality since they’re either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

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

Each door, window or the skylight requirements at least open to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure the insulation meets current quality. In certain situations, the an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space might require to be filled with or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness, and it will make it easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

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

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and groundwater, with an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture in 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 quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Rental property areas affected with the Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

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

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? draught stopping?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice, call today and book your rental property home evaluation.