Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewal or new tenancy and all private rentals must be completely compliant 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 evaluate the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work that needs to be completed, and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not in compliance could face fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes associated fines.

We are completely independent assessors of rental property, we are completely certified for 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 for an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new or renewed lease is entered into on the Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included in the renewal, new or amended tenancy agreement there may be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they are living in. If the property manager is unable to supply the information requested within 21 days of being informed of the request, they may receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for property owners or property managers who offer a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord or the company that manages the property.

All the information on the Compliance Statement needs to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s crucial to be aware that landlords with multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down for severe violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property Call us today and request a home inspection performed for your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households from New Zealand and Arakura, and research indicates that rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular conditions. Furthermore, people who experience at least four major issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the quality of Arakura rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will be protected from mould, mildew and damp-related damage, which results in less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Arakura rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in houses. A humid home will cost more to heat, resulting in wasted money and energy.

If a draught is noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or the air is clear from a hole or gap that is, it is likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be sealed from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

You don’t need to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors during your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the largest or main living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the winter coldest days. This is the minimum temperature indoors recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heating requirements for it to be permanent (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), it should include an thermostat. This makes the heating more reliable and efficient. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. In some instances, like small apartments, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a permanent heating source, such as an air conditioner, it may require an update to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open window or exterior door to provide natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation quality is about recognising it is that dry air will be less difficult to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

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

Every window, door or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open up to the outside, and stay at an open angle, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your home that has a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will need proper extractor fan systems that are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is required on all rental homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation is in line with the new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness, as well as making it easier to the household to keep warmth.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance, and is a gauge of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

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

Find out all the details about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from the effects of moisture isn’t just a matter of what’s inside the building but you must make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface as well as groundwater to move and also stop it from getting inside. When it concerns damp and moisture it is often what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Rental properties require to have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and groundwater, with the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an crucial aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it’s reasonably practicable to do so.

An underground moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from accumulating into the home. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Areas of rental properties that are impacted to Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard in Arakura include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for when conducting the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimum requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor well-insulated? Is there a ground water barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, 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 a tenancy solutions ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For professional guidance, contact us now and schedule your rental property home evaluation.