Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure 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 must be completely in compliance by July 1st 2024.

The areas that are covered by 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 is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be done and provide a report with all the necessary information to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

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

We’re completely independent assessors for rental properties, in addition, we’re completely certified to evaluate both 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 new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be taken care of within 90 days.

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

Failure to meet one of the Healthy Homes Standards within the period of time expected can lead to the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Every tenant is entitled to request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement notification and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who offer a false or misleading Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or other information. The person liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy contract as the person leasing the property out It could also be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement needs to be accurate when the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be kept updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any associated work has been completed.

It is also important to remember that a landlord who own multiple rental properties may receive greater penalties for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with at least six rental properties could be fined up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Arakura, and research has shown that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, are not as efficient heating and tend to be of poorer quality than owner occupied properties.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and flu, asthma and heart diseases. Additionally, those who experience four or more major house quality problems often experience lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improving the standard of Arakura rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruptions to their work, education and daily life because of diseases. Your investment is also better secured from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning less maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught stopping on Arakura rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts can lead to dropping temperatures within households. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught out of a hole or gap that is, it is most likely a gap or hole that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into the house need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and must be sealed off. Landlords and property managers are accountable for ensuring that such draughts are squelched as far as imaginable.

You don’t require to block up intentional gaps or holes which are part of the building. For example, tiny gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, to allow them to be shut and opened, rather than sticking. We will examine all doors and windows in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Proper heating is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura must have a fixed source of heating that can warm the living room to at least 18degC even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors suggested by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental well-being.

The source of heat requirements that it be permanently fixed (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity and have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to check if the permanent heater(s) are adequate or if you’ll require to top up with a new heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you offer is electric heating or heat pump then it must have an thermostat. This makes the heating more uniform and effective. For most houses, larger fixed heating devices such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater could be enough.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source like the heat pump, it may require an update to meet the standards. Some types of heaters can’t be used to comply with the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details regarding details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how dry air will be more easy to heat and that the property that is properly ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

Living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway are not considered liveable and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able open to the outside, but remain closed in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need adequate extractor fans that vent towards the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas of high moisture.

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Arakura

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required to all rental houses since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to make sure that the insulation meets the new quality. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space might need to be added or replaced.

A properly insulated home can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and it will make more easy to the household to keep the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance, and it is a measurement of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest area of 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

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

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building but you must make sure 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 usually what you don’t see that can cause a lot of trouble that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must have efficient drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a place to go, and also that it can’t linger underneath the structures is a crucial aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your flooring and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from getting into the structure. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor 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

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things to check when conducting the house inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. There are a few examples:

• Are the floor spaces protected and does it have a water barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in need of topping up? require topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the home have adequate ventilation? This includes extractor fans?

The consequences of not having an Healthy Home with regard to lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of a tenant services ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional advice get in touch today to book your rental property home assessment.