Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

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 must ensure 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 are required to be completely 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 assess your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about the tasks which requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental property, in addition, we’re fully qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done by the end of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager is unable to supply the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers that provide false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person liable for this fine is the one who is identified on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be correct before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that a landlord who have multiple rental properties may receive additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for serious breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on your rental property.

Find the full information on the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

A majority of households rent from New Zealand and Arakura, and research shows us that these rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

Enhancing the standard of Arakura rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living because of illness. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp , which means less costs of maintenance in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping on Arakura rental properties.

Begin now by calling about the Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts are a major cause of lower temperatures in homes. A draughty home costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air entering or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole which needs sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out of the house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for making sure that these draughts are stopped in the maximum extent possible.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow for movement within the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be closed and opened instead of than being stuck. We will test all windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for well-being houses

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties should have a permanent source of heating which can warm the largest or main living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine if your current installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat pump, it needs to have a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. In most houses, larger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like the heat pump, it may require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to achieve the standard as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in the rental property should have at least one openable door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

The ventilation quality is all about recognising the fact that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or Skylight needs to be able to open up to the outside while remaining at an open angle, allowing ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your home with shower, bath cooker or any other moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm house is an ideal house

Insulation Arakura

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory in all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation is up to standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space might require to be topped up or replaced.

A properly insulated home can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the home to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and floor R 1.3
• Zone 3 Zone 3 North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of the inside of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the home. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Property rental areas that are affected by The Healthy Homes Standard in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during the house review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For professional assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.