Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Arakura 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 can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work that requirements to be completed and provide a report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes relevant fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely qualified to assess both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a penalty of as much as $900 for property owners or property managers providing a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person responsible for 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 as well as the company that manages the property.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy contract is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It is also crucial to note that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down only for serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket with massive fines as well as still having to meet compliance. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and request a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

Find the full information on how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

About 1 in 3 households rent the property in New Zealand and Arakura, and research shows us that these rental houses are likely to be older, colder, are not as efficient heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are linked to negative health outcomes, particularly illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, those who experience at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Arakura rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved mental and physical health, and lessen the disturbance to learning, work and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Stopping within Arakura rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts increase the likelihood of lower temperatures in homes. A humid home is more expensive to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole or crack, then it is most likely a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Large gaps and cracks should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out of the home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for making sure that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

There is no require to cover up gaps or holes in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the building as the household is heated and cools so that they are able to be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Find the complete specifications to the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living area to at minimum 18degC, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) with at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to determine whether the existing permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to top up with a new heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters such as small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters are required. In certain situations, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source such as an air conditioner, it might need a top up to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be utilised to meet the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Every living space of the rental property should include at least one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about understanding it is that dried air can be more easy to heat and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to grow mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallways are not liveable , and thus are not need an opening door or window.

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

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your property with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will require adequate extractor fans that are vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space, including suitable extractor fans in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Arakura

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will reduce the risk of condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values of your area.

The "R" is a symbol for thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor 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

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must make sure there is somewhere for surface and ground water to go, and also stop it from getting into the building. When it is damp and moisture, it’s typically what you don’t see that can become a big problem and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with efficient drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to prevent any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the building. It also helps in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the 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 to the Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of things to be able to examine during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. Some examples include:

• Is the space under the floor protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice get in touch now and schedule your rental properties house evaluation.