Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Riverstone Terraces 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 fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of the tasks that needs to be completed, and offer the report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors of rental properties, and are 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, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed for a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished within 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the renewal, new or revised tenancy contract, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

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

Additionally, there is also a penalty as much as $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy contract as the person letting the property out, so it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed. It must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also crucial to be aware that landlords who manage several rental properties can face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are reserved only for serious breaches. Landlords with six or more properties can be fined up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in huge fines, in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t put your rental at risk. property Call us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and have less efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who have reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Riverstone Terraces rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

Start now and call about getting a Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside houses. A draughty home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see the sound of a clear draught emanating out of a hole or gap or crack, then it’s most likely a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out within the home need sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the home is heated and cools so that they can still be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door as part of your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for well-being homes

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Riverstone Terraces rental properties need to have a stable source of heating which can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC even on the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the current permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an update to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate or unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Every living space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging that dried air can be less difficult to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your property with shower, bath cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans that are vented to the outdoors. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A cozy dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is a requirement for all rent houses since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be added or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and also makes an easier task to allow the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation can withstand heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the better the 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 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

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

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it’s typically the concerns you don’t notice that can become a big problem and end up causing the property to suffer and affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have efficient drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water, and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of keeping your property dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier usually an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to prevent any moisture present in the ground from entering the building. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces

Areas of rental properties that are impacted by the Healthy Homes Standards in Riverstone Terraces include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to be able to examine when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the sub floor space insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy Home in accordance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.