Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We will evaluate 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 which needs to be completed, and provide a report with all the details required for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for as much as $7,200 and additional healthy homes related fines.

We are fully independent assessors for rental properties, as well as fully qualified for 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 or renewed contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work have to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, if a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Inability to adhere to all of the Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within a new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for details about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they live in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the required information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they could receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

In addition, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is identified on the tenancy agreement as the person who is renting the property It could also be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date before the tenancy agreement can be signed. It should be maintained through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is also important to note that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in large fines in addition to continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Do not risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a house inspection performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Arakura, and research indicates that rental homes are more likely to be colder, older, have less efficient heating and tend to be lower quality than the homes of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses are associated with negative well-being results, specifically for ailments like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who report at least four major housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the quality of Arakura rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will be secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Control for Arakura rental properties.

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

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A humid house costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draft can be felt through gaps that are too large or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming out of a hole or gap and you are able to feel it, it is most likely a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in some way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that let air in or out of your home require seals. For example, if an open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be blocked from. Landlords and property managers are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

There is no require to block up intentional holes or gaps which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the structure when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather instead of being stuck. We will examine every window and door during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Proper heating is important for healthy houses

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura must have a fixed source of heat that is able to heat the main or largest living area to at minimum 18degC, even during the coldest winter days. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient 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 aren’t considered acceptable heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to include the thermostat. This will help make the heating more uniform and effective. In most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your living space already has a central heating source such as a heat pump, then it might need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality as they are either costly, not cost-effective to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms should have an venting fan outside to get rid of moisture.

This ventilation quality is all about recognising how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat, and that an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to grow damp and mould.

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

Each door, window or skylight needs for them to be in a position to open to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require proper extractor fan systems that vent to the outdoors. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about The Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A warm dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is required to all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers have to ensure the insulation meets this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will reduce the risk of condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness and also makes much easier to allow the house to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values required for your area

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

• 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 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

See the full details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about what’s inside the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water and prevent it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is typically those things that you aren’t aware of that can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should have efficient drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a location to go, and it can’t linger underneath the structures is an important aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop the ingress of moisture, if your property has an enclosed space between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps to prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Does the subfloor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require replacement or topping?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For professional advice get in touch today to schedule your rental properties home evaluation.