Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Riverstone Terraces rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rentals must be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will assess your rental property to check whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks that needs to be completed and provide the report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 plus additional healthy homes related fines.

We’re fully independent assessors of rental property, as well as completely qualified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6779

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed lease is entered into on the Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Furthermore, if a existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement 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 property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is leasing the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be accurate when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that a landlord with multiple rental properties may face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe violations. Those who have at least six rental properties could be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and arrange to have an home evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

Check out the complete details 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 rent the property in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating, and generally are of lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are linked to negative well-being outcomes, particularly illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who report at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Enhancing the quality of Riverstone Terraces rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of health issues. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damage, meaning less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping on Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in houses. A draughty house costs more to heat, meaning wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air getting in, or see an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that needs sealing in somehow. Large cracks and gaps should be fixed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and let air into or out of the home require the sealing. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that such draughts are squelched in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for movement within the structure when the house is heated and cools to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will inspect every window and door in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Riverstone Terraces rental properties require a reliable source of heat that can warm the main or largest living space to at least 18degC, even on the winter coldest 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 for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum heating capacity needed for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options for Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it should be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and efficient. For most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, such as small apartments small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, like an air conditioner, it could need a top up to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

Get the complete information regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Each living space within a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural airflow. In addition, high moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside and remain closed in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath, cooktop or other high humidity-generating items will require suitable extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm 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 the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier for the home to hold the heat.

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 can withstand heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this 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 make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it concerns damp and moisture it is usually the things you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to be equipped with effective drainage to get rid of floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a place to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an important aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the property. It also helps to prevent water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces

Property rental areas that are affected to Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Riverstone Terraces include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things you should look for in a house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert advice get in touch today to schedule your rental property home assessment.