Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords must make sure their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties must be fully certified by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can evaluate your rental property to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any tasks that requirements to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the information required for 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 who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors for rental properties, 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

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be done by the end of 90 days.

Since the 1st July of 2021, if a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on the Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to an amount of $7200. In addition, if the existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in an updated, renewed, or amended 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 relate to the building they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days from having received the inquiry, they will be issued an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the one who is renting the property It could also be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current before the tenancy agreement can be completed, and must be updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It’s important to keep in mind that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The harshest penalties are reserved for severe breaches, and landlords with six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property, contact us today and make arrangements to have an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

Get the full description of how to apply the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

One in three households homes in New Zealand and Arakura, and research has shown that these rental houses are more likely to be older, colder, have less effective heating, and generally tend to be lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health results, specifically for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as heart diseases. Additionally, those who have reported at least four major home quality issues often suffer from lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the standard of Arakura rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health and minimise the disruption to work, learning and daily life because of diseases. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long-term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a listing of minimum and specific standards for Heating, Insulation, Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught-stopping in Arakura rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts can lead to lower temperatures in homes. A damp home will cost more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draught is felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a crack or a gap or crack, then it is likely a crack or an opening that needs sealing in some way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit of the home need sealing. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that such draughts are squelched whenever imaginable.

You don’t need to block off holes or gaps that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow movement of the structure as the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than securing. We will check every window and door as part of the Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is crucial for well-being houses

Heating Arakura

Arakura rental properties need to have a stable source of heating that is able to heat the living room to at least 18degC, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living space. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if your current fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to ‘top up’ by adding a second heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters, such as small portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and efficient. In most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in some cases like apartments with small spaces, a smaller fixed electric heater may suffice.

If your main living space already has a permanent heating source such as heat pumps, it might just need an upgrade to ensure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be used to comply with the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

Find the complete specifications regarding the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in a rental house must have at least one opening window or exterior door to offer natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dry air is more easy to heat and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or Skylight needs to be able open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens as well as any other space in your home that has shower, bath or cooktop, or any other humidity-generating items will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan in areas with high moisture.

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

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal home

Insulation Arakura

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory to all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest quality. In some instances, existing ceiling insulation or insulation in the sub floor space might require to be added or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the household to retain warmth.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well insulation is able to resist heat flow. The greater the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – the remainder area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 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

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

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently what you don’t see that could become a major issue and cause damage to your investment as well as affecting your tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to have effective drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water, and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and it can’t linger underneath the buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

In addition to a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your rental is enclosed between your floor and ground, a ground moisture barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, in order to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

Rental property areas affected with The Healthy Homes Standards in Arakura include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to check during the house evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. There are a few examples:

• Does the subfloor space well-insulated? Is there a ground moisture barrier present?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home that is in compliance with lawful Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of a tenant services ruling can be significant for landlords and property managers. For expert advice, call today to schedule your rental property house evaluation.