Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you not know that Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st July 2021? The landlords are now required to ensure that their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals must be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

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

We can assess the rental property you have in order to determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work required. requirements to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of as much as $7,200 and additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, as well as fully qualified 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 brand new or renewed tenancy is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy 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 comply with each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in an amount of $7200. Additionally, if the most existing Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not incorporated within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Anyone can request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they reside in. If the landlord or the property manager doesn’t supply the necessary information within 21 days of receiving the request, they can receive an infringement letter and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty as much as $900 for property owners or property managers who provide a false or incorrect Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the name of the landlord as well as the property management company.

All information in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the duration of the tenancy when any related work is completed.

It’s also crucial to remember that landlords who manage several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 for hearing claims.

It is clear that failure to meet requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account and result in large fines in addition to still being required to adhere to the regulations. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and ask us to conduct a home assessment performed on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

About 1 in 3 households rent in New Zealand and Arakura, and research shows us that these rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than the homes of owners.

Damp, mouldy and cold houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for illnesses such as colds and influenza, asthma, and heart diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key housing quality problems frequently have low life satisfaction and reduced psychological well-being.

The improvement in the quality of Arakura rental property can allow tenants to experience better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living because of illnesses. Your investment is also secured from mildew, mould and damp-related damage, which completed jobs in less maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Arakura rental properties.

Start now and call about the Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts can lead to low temperatures inside households. A humid home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or the air is clear from a gap or hole, then it’s likely to be a gap or hole that needs sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be permanently stopped. Gaps greater than 3mm that let air into or out from your home require seals. For example, if the open fireplace isn’t in use it can create draughts. This should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as far as possible.

You don’t need to cover up holes or gaps in the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow movement of the building when the home gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will inspect every window and door during our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important to ensure healthy homes

Heating Arakura

Rental properties in Arakura need to have a stable source of heating that can warm the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heating requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable) and at minimum 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the installed heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters such as portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options under the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is an electric heater (or heat pump), then it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will make the heating more consistent and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating equipment like heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances such as small apartments an electric, fixed heater may suffice.

If the main living room already has a central heating source like heat pumps, it might just need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to meet the quality because they’re costly, not cost-effective to run, or are unsafe to operate.

Check out the complete details on the Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Arakura

Each living space within the rental property should contain at minimum one open windows or an exterior door to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid areas such as kitchens or bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor fan to remove moisture.

It is the ventilation quality is about recognising that dry air will be easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

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

Each window, door , or skylight needs at least to open up to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other area in your property with a bath, shower or cooktop, or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation in each livable space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

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

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Underfloor and ceiling insulation has been compulsory for all rent homes since 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords must ensure that the insulation is in line with this new standard. In some instances, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the sub floor space might need to be topped up or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated will help to control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and damp, and also makes it easier to the home to keep heat.

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

The "R" signifies thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – all of the 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 the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

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

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain or ground water, and to prevent it from getting into the building. When it comes to moisture and damp it’s frequently not apparent that it could become a major issue that can cause damage to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is a vital aspect of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture ingress, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be installed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier generally made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from accumulating into the building. It also assists in preventing water damage to the floor insulation.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

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

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over when conducting the house assessment to see if your rental property is in compliance with all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the space under the floor covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? require replenishment or replacement?
• Is the heater equipped with enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy home that is in compliance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of the Tenancy solutions ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist advice get in touch today and book your rental properties home evaluation.