Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully certified by 1 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 determine whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties as well as completely 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, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the deadlines can result in penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the lease agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is executed, and it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is important to keep in mind that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Do not risk your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have a home evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

About 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who reported four or more major issues with their housing often have less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health and reduce the disruptions to their work, education and living due to illness. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower 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 as Draught-stopping within Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

Begin now by calling about getting a Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty house is more expensive to heat, which completed jobs in wasting money and energy.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out of your home require to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t being used, it may cause draughts and should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent imaginable.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the house heats and cools, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Rental properties in Riverstone Terraces need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the current installed 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 aren’t considered to be safe heating options for those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to be equipped with a thermostat. This makes your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the main living room is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be utilised to meet the quality as they are either not efficient, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

See the full details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to remove moisture.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising it is that dry air is easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway are not considered liveable and do not require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your house that houses a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that can be vented to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is a healthy house

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness, and it will make much easier to the house to hold the heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area 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

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

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it is typically not apparent that it could become a major issue and cause the property to suffer and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go and that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the ground, a ground water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring 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 Riverstone Terraces

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Riverstone Terraces include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

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

• Is the sub floor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the Tenancy services ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.