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 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 any renewed 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 assess your rental property to check whether it is in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager about the tasks required. requirements to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the information needed for your Tenancy Agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements 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 plus additional healthier homes associated fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are fully certified 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 brand new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

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

Failure to adhere to one of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included within the new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement it could result in additional penalties or an infringement fee.

Any tenant may request information regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they may be issued an infringement notice and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there is also a fine of up to $900 for landlords or property managers who offer a false or false Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or other information. The person liable to pay this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person letting the property out and it could be the name of the landlord, or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement needs to be current when the tenancy agreement is signed. It must be updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that landlords who have multiple rental properties could face greater penalties for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are handed down for the most serious breaches. Landlords with at least six rental properties could be penalised up to $50,000, and as much as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

Clearly, failure to comply with your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account hard, resulting in massive fines as well as having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property, contact us today and ask us to conduct an house evaluation performed for your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

A majority of households homes in New Zealand and Arakura, and research shows us that these rental homes are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating and have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health outcomes, especially for ailments like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who have reported four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Arakura rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the interruption to learning, work and living due to illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a listing of minimum and specific requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, and Draught Stopping for 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 may lead to less temperature in homes. A cold home costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes that it requirements to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see a clear draught from a gap or hole or crack, then it’s probably a gap or crack that needs sealing in the way you can. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be permanently stopped. Any gaps greater than 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from your house require to be sealed. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can cause draughts and should be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as far as possible.

You don’t need to block gaps or holes that are part of the construction. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be required to allow movement of the structure when the home is heated and cools so that they are able to be shut and opened, rather than being stuck. We will inspect the windows and doors during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy houses

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura should have a permanent source of heat that is able to heat the largest or main living area to at minimum 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum temperature indoors that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental well-being.

The heating source needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to check if your current installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to top up with a new heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be safe heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump, then it must have a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. For most homes, larger fixed heating systems such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters will be required. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces the smaller fixed electric heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it may need an upgrade to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to achieve the standard as they are either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Get the complete information on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. Furthermore, moist spaces like kitchens and bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan to take moisture away.

A ventilation standard is all about acknowledging it is that dry air is much easier to heat and heat, and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Every window, door or the skylight needs for them to be in a position open to the outside while remaining fixed in an open position in order to allow the circulation of fresh air and air flow.

The bathrooms in all kitchens and every other room of your home with shower, bath, cooktop or other high water-generating appliance will need adequate extractor fans that are vented out to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Learn more about The Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory to all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should ensure that the insulation is up to this new standard. In certain situations, the old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the subfloor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and reduce the chances of dampness and mould, and will also make much easier to allow the home to retain the heat.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 and 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from dampness isn’t just about the inside but you must ensure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go, and prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often what you don’t see that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties need to be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate the stormwater and surface waters, and ground water. This includes an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure the water is able to go, and that it isn’t allowed to remain beneath structures is a crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

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

A ground moisture barrier is usually made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture that is present in the ground from rising into the structure. It also helps prevent from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

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

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are a myriad of concerns to check when conducting a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. Some examples include:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Do you think the ceiling insulation need to be topped up or replaced?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and stopping of draughts?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the tenancy solutions ruling can be significant for property owners and landlords. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental properties house evaluation.