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 a new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties must 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 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 any work which requirements to be done, and offer a report with all the information needed for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes relevant fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental property, and are fully certified 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, when a brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance tasks have to be done inside of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any 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 in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement there may be additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Anyone can request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they can receive an infringement letter and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who provide 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 being the person letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any related work is completed.

It’s crucial to remember that landlords who manage multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in significant fines and continuing to be required to comply with the requirements. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and request an house evaluation performed on the rental property you are renting.

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

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent homes in New Zealand and Arakura, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative health outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Additionally, those who report at least four key issues with their housing often have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Arakura rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which results in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping within Arakura rental properties.

Start now and call 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 households. A cold house is more expensive to heat, which results in wasting energy and resulting in higher bills.

If a draught could be perceived as a result of gaps or holes the area requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air entering or the sound of a clear draught emanating from a hole or gap, then it’s likely to be a gap or an opening that requirements sealing in the way you can. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. The gaps that exceed 3mm that let air in or out within the house need seals. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t used it could cause draughts, and should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped whenever possible.

There is no need to cover up holes or gaps that are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors may be required to allow for the movement of the structure as the house warms and cools in order to let them be shut and opened, rather than securing. We will check all doors and windows as part of an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties need to have a stable source of heat that can heat the principal or the biggest living space to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) that is, at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you provide is electric heating (or heat pump), then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. In certain situations, such as small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it might just require some additional energy to be able to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to meet the quality since they’re either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information for details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in a rental property has to contain at minimum one open window or exterior door to provide natural airflow. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to get rid of moisture.

The ventilation standard 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 grow damp and mould.

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

Each window, door or skylight requirements at least of opening to the outside and remain closed to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All kitchens and bathrooms, as well as any other space in your house that houses shower, bath or cooktop, or any other moisture-producing item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented out to the outside. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in high moisture areas.

See the full details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A warm dry home is an ideal house

Insulation Arakura

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords must make sure that the insulation is up to this new quality. In certain situations, the existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lessen the likelihood of dampness and mould, and also makes it easier to allow the household to hold heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a gauge of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest 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 (underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about this Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building but you must ensure there is somewhere for surface or ground water, and stop it from coming into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it is usually the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties must be equipped with effective drainage to remove the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water, including an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water has a proper place to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture ingress, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier should be put in place if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

An underground moisture barrier generally a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from entering the home. It also helps prevent moisture damage to the underfloor insulation.

Find out all the details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Property rental areas that are affected to Healthy Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns you should look for when conducting an home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation require replenishment or replacement?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of a ruling on tenancy services ruling can be extremely costly for property managers and landlords. For specialist advice, call today to book your rental properties house evaluation.