Healthy Homes Assessment Arakura

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into in force on July 1, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Arakura rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any new or renewed tenancy, and all private rental properties 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 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 completed, and offer an assessment report that includes all the information needed to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements in the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not conforming to the standards could be held accountable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, we are completely certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied contract is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be finished within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on an Arakura rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards within the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement, it could result in an additional fine or infringement fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the required information within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they may be issued an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is responsible for this fine is the one who is listed on the tenancy agreement as being the person renting 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 before the tenancy agreement can be signed, and ideally it is updated through the tenancy period as necessary work related to it’s finished.

It is important to note that landlords who manage several rental properties can face additional fines for non-compliance. The most severe penalties are handed down only for serious breaches, and landlords with more than six properties could be fined up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your pocket resulting in massive fines as well as still being required to comply with the regulations. Don’t risk your rental property call us now and make arrangements to have a home assessment done on the rental property you are renting.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households from New Zealand and Arakura, and research suggests that rental homes tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating, and generally have lower standard than those owned by owners.

Cold, damp and mouldy houses can have negative health results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, people who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in mental wellbeing.

The improvement in the standard of Arakura rental property can help tenants enjoy better physical and mental health, and lessen the disruption to work, learning and living due to illness. Your investment will also be better protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower costs for maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well as Draught-stopping for Arakura rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss getting a Arakura Healthy Home assessment on your rental property right now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Arakura

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside homes. A cold home is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and increased bills.

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

What are unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air coming in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap that is, it’s probably a gap or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Large gaps and cracks should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air in or out of the home require to be sealed. For example, if the open fireplace is not in use, it can create draughts. This should be shut off. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed in the maximum extent possible.

There is no need to block off gaps or holes which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for movement of the structure as the home gets warmer and cooler, so that they can still be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will examine every window and door in our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

Adequate heaters are crucial for healthy houses

Heating Arakura

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

The source of heat needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) and at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if your current permanent heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to "top-up" with a new heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters, such as mobile LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options in the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating that you provide is electric heating or heat pump it requirements to have the thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps, pellet burners or flued gas heaters will be required. In certain situations, like small apartment buildings small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area is already equipped with a fixed heating source, like an air conditioner, it may need an update to meet the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the standard since they’re either inefficient, unaffordable to operate and/or unhealthy to run.

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

Ventilation Arakura

Each liveable space in a rental property must contain at minimum one open doors or windows to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms should be equipped with an externally vented extractor fan that can remove moisture.

The ventilation standard is all about acknowledging the fact that dried air can be easier to heat, and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside and remain set in an opening position, allowing to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and any other area in your house that houses a bath, shower, cooktop or other high moisture generating item will need appropriate extractor fans that can be vented to the outside. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will verify that there is enough air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in high moisture areas.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy home

Insulation Arakura

Ceiling and underfloor insulation is mandatory to all rental homes since July 1, 2019. Property managers and landlords have to ensure that the insulation meets current quality. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, as well as making much easier for the household to keep heat.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

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

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 and underfloor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Arakura Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain and ground water to go and also stop it from getting inside. When it is about damp and water, it is often not apparent that it can cause a lot of trouble and end up causing damage to your investment as well as harming the tenant’s health.

Rental properties should have effective drainage to eliminate storm water, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a place to go, and it isn’t allowed to remain beneath buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside a drainage system to avoid the ingress of moisture, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between your floor and the surface, a ground moisture barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is typically an insulating sheet of polythene laid over the ground, in order to block any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the home. It also helps in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Check out the complete details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Arakura

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

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Arakura for Rental Properties

There are numerous things to check during an house assessment to see if your rental property meets the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces covered in insulation and is there a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replacement or topping?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Does the water flow properly and is there draught-stopping?
• Does the home has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy home in relation to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property owners and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental property house assessment.