Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure that their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we’ll advise you or your property manager about any work required. requirements to be completed and offer the report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under 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’re completely independent assessors of rental properties in addition, we’re fully certified to evaluate each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

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 tasks need to be completed inside of 90 days.

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

Failure to comply with one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the deadlines can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they are living in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the necessary information within 21 days of being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of as much as $900 for landlords and property managers that provide false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are handed down 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 for hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Arakura, and research indicates that rental houses are most likely to be colder, older and are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental health.

Improve the quality of Arakura rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mould, mildew and damp damages, which means less maintenance costs in the long-term.

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

Start now and call about having a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A damp home will cost more to heat, which results in 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 sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear out of a hole or gap, then it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of your home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t used it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes in the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will check all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties should have a permanent heating source that can heat the living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental wellbeing.

The heating source requirements to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options in Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and effective. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as the heat pump, it could require a top up to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in a rental property has to have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

A ventilation standard is all about understanding it is that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms kitchens and dining rooms are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore do not need an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or the skylight needs at least open to the outside while remaining closed to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Arakura

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to the new standard. In certain situations, the current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A well-insulated property can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to the house to hold warmth.

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

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

• 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 all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about what’s inside the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and underground water to flow, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is about damp and water, it is often those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, which includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water is able to go, and also that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the rental is enclosed between your flooring and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

Ground moisture barriers are generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Rental property areas affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check when conducting a house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental property home evaluation.