Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully conforming by the 1st 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and offer a report with all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks must be finished inside of 90 days.

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of up to $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is responsible for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement requirements to be accurate when the tenancy contract is completed, and must be updated during the entire tenancy, as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to keep in mind that landlords who have several rental properties can face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

In the end, a failure to adhere to the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, with massive fines as well as continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and request an home assessment performed on the rental property you are renting.

See the full details for the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

One in three households from New Zealand and Arakura, and research indicates that rental houses are more likely to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and are of lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Arakura rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health as well as lessen interruption to learning, work and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal requirements for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for Arakura rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in houses. A humid house costs more to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes the area requirements to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a hole or gap that is, it’s likely a crack or crack that requirements sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air in or out of your house need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the house warms and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather instead of being stuck. We will test all doors and windows in the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties require a reliable source of heating that can warm the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the permanent 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 the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater or heat source, it must include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and efficient. In most homes, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If your living space already has a central heating source like a heat pump, then it might just require an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

Find the complete specifications for the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

It is the ventilation standard is all about recognising that the dry atmosphere is more easy to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

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

Each window, door , or the skylight requirements to have the ability of opening to the outside, and stay set in an opening position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture generating item will require suitable extractor fans that are vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Arakura

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental homes since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and will also make an easier task for the house to hold the heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 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 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s often not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause the property to suffer and affecting your tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters and ground water, including an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water has a location to go, and that it doesn’t get sucked into structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental has an enclosed gap between floorboards and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Ground moisture barriers are usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Rental property areas affected with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to be able to examine during the home review to determine if your rental property meets the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having the Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.