Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure that their Arakura 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 are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any tasks which requirements to be done and offer a report with all the information required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes relevant fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental properties, we are fully certified for both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be finished by the end of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on the Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement there may be an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant will be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is listed on the tenancy agreement as the person who is who is letting the property which could be the name of the landlord as well as the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it should be kept updated during the entire tenancy, as related work is completed.

It’s also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home inspection performed for your rental property.

See the full details for 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 from New Zealand and Arakura, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly ailments like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four major home quality issues often suffer from less satisfaction in their lives and lower well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Arakura rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health as well as lessen disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping for Arakura rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss having a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within homes. A cold house will cost more to heat, which results in wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or a clear draught from a crack or a gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that let 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 must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure such draughts are eliminated as much as possible.

You don’t need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement within the building when the household warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will test every window and door in 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 homes

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties must have a fixed source of heating which can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable) that is, at least 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered acceptable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), it needs to have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartment buildings an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it might require a top up to be able to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to remove moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable and therefore are not need an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position to allow to circulate fresh air as well as ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and every other room of your home that has a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture-producing item will need adequate extractor fans that vent out to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas of high moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm house is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Insulation for underfloor and ceilings is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is in line with standards that are in line with the latest standard. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, as well as making an easier task to allow the house to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements 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 the insulation resists heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

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

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

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building it is also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble and cause damage to your investment and affecting your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have efficient drainage for the removal of rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is a vital aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

An underground moisture barrier typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture from the ground from rising into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

The areas of rental property that are affected with the Healthy Homes Standard in Arakura include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to look over when conducting a home inspection to determine whether your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? need replenishment or replacement?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an Tenancy services ruling could be significant for landlords and property managers. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property house evaluation.