Healthy Homes Assessment Riverstone Terraces

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Riverstone Terraces 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 are required to be completely in compliance by July 1st 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’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work required. requirements to be completed and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to fulfill the requirements under the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord found to not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties and are completely certified to assess each of 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, once a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work need to be completed inside of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on a Riverstone Terraces rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed by the end of 90 days.

Failure to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the period of time expected can lead to penalties of up to $7200. In addition, if the current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated in the new, renewed or revised tenancy agreement, there may be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant can ask for details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the home they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t provide the information requested within 21 days of getting the notice, the tenant can receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or information. The person responsible to pay this fine is the one who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person who is letting the property which could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All the information on the Statement of Compliance requirements to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed, and ideally it is updated throughout the tenancy as any relevant work gets completed.

It is important to be aware that landlords who manage multiple rental properties could face additional fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are given for severe violations, and landlords who own more than six properties could receive fines of up to $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to comply with requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, resulting in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request an home assessment done on your rental property.

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

Healthy homes matter

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households the property in New Zealand and Riverstone Terraces, and research has shown that these rental homes tend to be colder, older, are not as effective heating and have lower quality than owner occupied properties.

Damp, mouldy and cold homes are associated with negative health outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. In addition, people who have reported four or more key home quality issues often suffer from low life satisfaction and reduced well-being.

Improving the standard of Riverstone Terraces rental property can allow tenants to experience better physical and mental health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and daily life due to health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp damage, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a set of specific and minimal standards for heating, insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control for Riverstone Terraces rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss the Riverstone Terraces Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Riverstone Terraces

Draughts are a major cause of low temperatures inside houses. A damp home costs more to heat, which means wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes that it needs to be closed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a hole or gap, then it’s likely a crack or hole which requirements sealing in any way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your home require seals. In the case of an open fireplace is not in use, it may cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are accountable for ensuring such draughts are eliminated as far as imaginable.

There is no need to block holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around windows and doors could be necessary to allow for the movement of the structure when the home warms and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than sticking. We will inspect all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

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

The proper heating equipment is important for well-being houses

Heating Riverstone Terraces

Rental properties in Riverstone Terraces must have a fixed source of heating that is able to heat the living space to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health and mental outlook.

The source of heat requirements for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable) with at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and must meet the minimum requirement for heat capacity to heat the living space in general. The Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will require to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like small portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be safe heating options in The Healthy Homes Standard.

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

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source such as a heat pump, then it could need some additional energy to make sure it meets the requirements. Some types of heaters can’t be used to achieve the standard because they’re inefficient, unaffordable to operate or are unsafe to operate.

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

Ventilation Riverstone Terraces

Each liveable space in a rental home must have at least one openable doors or windows to provide natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms should have an externally vented extractor fan that can take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is all about recognising how dried air can be much easier to heat, and that a property that is well ventilated will be less prone to developing mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Spaces that connect, such as the hallway aren’t liveable and do not require an opening window or door.

Each window, door or skylight requirements to be able to open up to the outside, and stay fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other area in your property with a bath, shower and cooktop or another water-generating appliance will need suitable extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in every living space with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about this Healthy Homes ventilation quality.

A dry and warm home is a healthy house

Insulation Riverstone Terraces

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is a requirement on all rental houses from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers must ensure that the insulation meets standards that are in line with the latest standard. In some cases, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house will help to control condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and damp, and also makes more easy to allow the home to retain warmth.

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

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

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

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

Riverstone Terraces Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building it’s also about the outside. You must ensure there is somewhere for surface, rain as well as groundwater to move, and stop it from coming inside. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those things that you aren’t aware of that could become a major issue and cause damages to your investment and harming the tenant’s well-being.

Rental properties should be equipped with efficient drainage to remove floodwaters, surface water and ground water, including the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure that the water is able to go, and that it doesn’t sit beneath buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

In addition to an irrigation system to stop water ingress, if the apartment has an enclosed gap between the floor and ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it’s reasonably practicable to install it.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture in the ground from getting into the home. It also assists in preventing 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 Riverstone Terraces

Property rental areas that are affected by Health Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Riverstone Terraces include each:

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

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Riverstone Terraces for Rental Properties

There are many concerns to be able to examine during the home inspection to determine whether your rental property meets all the basic requirements of Healthy Homes Standard. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Does the ceiling insulation require to be topped up or replaced?
• Does the heat pump have enough capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? the draught is stopped?
• Does the home have sufficient ventilation including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having the Healthy Home with regard to The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently falling on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy solutions ruling can be extremely costly for property owners and landlords. For specialist assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.